Why Budget 2026 matters for ferry workers
Every year, the provincial government invites the public to weigh in on the next year’s provincial budget. Ferry workers deserve a say in how public money is spent, so we put in a submission.
Chronic system under-funding affects us directly: it means short staffing, cancelled sailings, aging vessels and wages that fall behind. When new ships are built overseas, local jobs are lost. When Ottawa gives more funding to eastern ferry systems than ours, we’re the ones left struggling.
By putting in a submission, we’re pushing for public investment that protects our jobs, supports our safety and strengthens the communities where we live and work.
We’ll keep showing up in these spaces to make sure ferry workers are not ignored.
In our submission, we made three clear recommendations:
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Increase operational funding, invest in marine training and ensure fair wages
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Build new ferries in B.C. and develop a domestic shipbuilding strategy
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Work with Ottawa to secure federal ferry funding and end unfair tariff exemptions
We move over 22 million passengers and $8 billion in goods each year. But we’re being asked to keep an aging system afloat without the funding, training and respect we deserve.
It’s time for all levels of government to treat ferries like the critical public service they are.
In solidarity
Eric McNeely
President
