Northern B.C. ferry routes are likely to be privatized

B.C. ferries pushing ahead with 60-year Liberal privatization plan

Victoria - B.C. Ferries, the independent company that now runs provincial ferry services, wants to privatize six northern ferry routes.

The company is searching for a private operator to finance the estimated $200 million cost of providing new ships for the following routes: Mill Bay-Brentwood, Comox to Powell River, Powell River to Texada Island, Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte Islands to Prince Rupert and Port Hardy to mid-coast.

The province has passed legislation turning B.C. Ferry Corp. into an independent company and specifically requiring it to consider private alternatives to public service.

The legislation extends for 60 years, meaning that by the time it expires all vessels on all routes will have to be replaced and that private alternatives will be considered (and probably chosen) in all cases.

The B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union says the move is misguided because public ferry corporations (in B.C. and in neighbouring Washington State) were originally created because of private sector failure to provide reliable and efficient service.

“At the end of the day, I think we will see BC Ferries return to the public trust with a huge debt as a result of these failed experiments,’’ says BCFMWU president Jackie Miller. The union is affiliated with the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).

Web posted by NUPGE: 16 April 2004

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