Federal response falls short on B.C. ferry funding

In May, we wrote to Prime Minister Carney calling for fair, permanent federal funding for B.C.’s ferry system, equal to what’s provided to Marine Atlantic and VIA Rail. We also called for a renewed commitment to Canadian shipbuilding. This week, Transport Canada responded.

Their letter confirms what we already knew: B.C.’s ferry system isn’t being treated like the vital national infrastructure it is.

Read the full response below.

From: Lacombe, Tyler (TC/TC)
Sent: June 26, 2025 10:24 AM
To: BFMWU
Subject: RE: Office of the Prime Minister/Cabinet du premier ministre

UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFIÉ

Dear Mr. McNeely,

As you may know, your correspondence of May 6, 2025, regarding strengthening the ferry system within the Province of British Columbia, was forwarded to Minister Freeland for her consideration. In this context, I am responding on behalf of Transport Canada.

Federal support for ferry services in Canada is limited to ferry services that: (i) are constitutionally mandated such as the ferry services between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia provided by Marine Atlantic Incorporated (MAI); (ii) serve remote communities, such as the interprovincial ferry service between the remote community of Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, and Souris, Prince Edward Island; or (iii) are interprovincial and have had a history of longstanding financial support from the Government of Canada.

With regard to ferry services in British Columbia, the Government of Canada has provided a grant to the province since 1977. In 2025-26, the total value of the grant is approximately $37.8 million, and it will be used to support the provision of ferry and coastal freight and passenger services.

In addition to the above, the Government has supported ferry services through measures such as removing tariffs on the importation of vessels as well as making ferries and related infrastructure eligible for federal funding under major infrastructure programs such as the New Building Canada Fund. Finally, the federal government has partnered with BC Ferries by providing financing to accelerate electrification, including the purchase of four new electric ferries, as announced in May 2024.

In closing, the Government of Canada has, and continues to make, significant investments through the National Shipbuilding Strategy to help rebuild Canada’s marine industry and to support good middle-class jobs, and Canadian companies.

Sincerely,

Tyler Lacombe
Executive Director, Ferry Programs
Air, Marine and Environmental Programs, Programs Group Transport Canada / Government of Canada