Cost overruns and workplace cuts raise stewardship questions at BC Ferries
Ferry workers keep vessels moving in fog, storms and peak travel seasons. They do safety-critical work that coastal communities rely on every day.
Recently, members raised concerns about basic amenities like coffee, kettles and supplies being removed from worksites. On their own, these may seem like small changes. But they matter to people working long, demanding shifts and they send a message about how priorities are being set.
At the same time, BC Ferries’ own public filings show the redevelopment of its primary ship repair hub is now forecast at about $168.5 million, roughly $15.5 million above its earlier approved budget.
This contrast raises a broader question about stewardship in a public service.
Cutting small, frontline workplace supports won’t address multi-million-dollar cost pressures, but it does affect morale and retention in a workforce the province depends on.
We’ve written to BC Ferries’ CEO calling for priorities that reflect the value of frontline work and the importance of responsible decision-making in a public service.
