As Eby looks east, ‘Look West’ ignores ferries

Premier David Eby is heading to China to promote British Columbia as a stable place to do business. But here at home, there’s still no clear plan to build ferries.

The timing matters. BC Ferries’ fleet renewal timeline shows new vessels entering service starting in 2027, with more major ships coming through the end of the decade. Older vessels are already set for retirement.

The next round of procurement will begin soon. Last year, the premier said he would work to make sure future ferries are built in B.C. But there’s been no visible progress to make that possible.

The province’s Look West plan doesn’t mention ferries at all, focusing instead on military vessels funded through Ottawa’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.

B.C.’s ferry system gets just a fraction of the federal dollars other transportation systems do, and the gap is especially marked when compared to the Atlantic ferry system. Despite drawing attention to the discrepancy, there’s no indication that Eby has been pursuing equitable funding for our coastal transportation system.

Ferries aren’t optional in this province: they move people, workers and goods. They’re the backbone of our coastal economy and our coastal communities.

Building them here will take significant planning, investment and workforce development. Without starting that work now, the outcome is predictable.

B.C. is looking abroad for growth. But one of the biggest opportunities is already here. The question is whether we’re ready to take it.

Read more about the benefits of building ships at home here.