British Columbia Premier David Eby criticized the federal government on Thursday for what he sees as unequal treatment of B.C. ferry passengers. He also raised concerns about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s aggressive promotion of a pipeline project, which he believes could jeopardize other developments in British Columbia.
Eby expressed his disappointment during his visit to Ottawa, where he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and key cabinet ministers. He highlighted the disparity in federal support for ferry services, noting that B.C. ferry users receive significantly less subsidy compared to those on the East Coast.
He pointed out that while the federal government funds Marine Atlantic, a Crown corporation that operates ferries in Eastern Canada, B.C. is only offered a low-interest loan for ferry construction. Eby emphasized the need to address this imbalance in support for ferry services across the country.
In a move to replace aging vessels, the federal government announced plans to procure new ferries for Quebec and Nova Scotia, with interim replacements scheduled for delivery by 2028 and 2029. Meanwhile, B.C. Ferries, now a private entity with government ownership, received a $1 billion loan from the federal government to build new ships.
Despite facing criticism for contracting a Chinese state-owned shipyard for ferry construction, Eby defended the decision, citing the urgent need for new vessels. He emphasized that the procurement process was thorough and necessary for maintaining ferry services in the region.
Eby highlighted the differences between ferry funding on the West Coast and the East Coast, noting that the latter connects multiple provinces to mainland Canada. He also addressed the historical agreements that obligated the federal government to maintain ferry links for provinces like Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island.
Regarding Smith’s pipeline proposal, Eby cautioned that the project lacked private proponents, funding, or support from affected Indigenous communities. He expressed concerns that Smith’s initiative could jeopardize significant projects in British Columbia by undermining support from local First Nations communities.
In conclusion, Eby urged for fair treatment of B.C. ferry users and raised valid concerns about the potential risks posed by Smith’s pipeline push to the province’s economic and environmental interests.
