Communities fed up with BC Ferries failures

Ferry-dependent communities are speaking out, and they’ve had enough.

This week, mayors from Bowen Island and Gibsons called on BC Ferries and the province to fix chronic breakdowns, cancellations and overcrowding. For people on the Sunshine Coast and Bowen, it’s the same as shutting down the only highway in and out of town.

Local leaders say they’ve been dragged through years of “consultations” while service keeps getting worse. They want real action: better vessels, proper planning and a seat at the table.

BC Ferries’ response? Blame the Coastal Ferry Act, say only one route covers its costs, and warn fares could jump 30 per cent in three years. That’s not good enough.

Here’s the bigger problem: BC Ferries is stuck with a broken governance model created more than 20 years ago. It treats ferries like a business, not the public service they are. That’s why we keep seeing short-term decisions, deferred investment and communities left stranded.

The provincial government and BC Ferries can’t hide behind the model anymore. B.C. needs to step up, fix ferry governance and push Ottawa for real federal funding to rebuild the system in the public interest.

We stand with Bowen, Gibsons and all coastal communities: ferry service is a lifeline, not a luxury. It’s time for a system that puts people first.