Province of British Columbia launches online consultation program on Coastal Ferries issues

The British Columbia Government is seeking the feedback of those who travel aboard the province's coastal ferries, launching the next phase of their wide ranging process towards developing a vision for Coastal Ferry Services in BC.

The program which is being spear headed through Minister Claire Trevena's Transportation and Infrastructure office, was launched on Sunday, with those with an interest in the transportation system invited to provide comment through an online survey process, which will run through until March 20th.

“Significant investments are being made in ferry infrastructure, with decisions being made today defining the service long into the future. We’re asking people what the coastal ferry service could look like in 20, 30 or 40 years, and how services should be delivered to better support people and families who live and work on our coast.”  -- Transportation and Infrastructure Minister, Claire Trevena on the now underway online consultation on Coastal Ferries

Sharing in the push towards seeking comment for the survey was Ronna-Rae Leonard, the MLA for Courtenay-Comox.

“We’re asking people to weigh in and share their thoughts on what they would like to see for the future of ferry travel. Transportation needs are changing, and coastal ferries should also evolve. We want to ensure we have a system in place that is adaptable, dependable and convenient.”

As part of her study to launch the survey, Minister Trevena makes note of a pre-survey engagement tour she took, hosting a number of forums around coastal British Columbia in October and November.

And as we noted last fall, it was a consultation period that left Prince Rupert off the tour schedule, a curious decision considering the vital interest that this community holds when it comes to it place as  the transit hub for Ferry travel on the North Coast.

While Prince Rupert was left off the conversation list, those that did participate explored  three objectives as part of the pre-engagement forums.

From Haida Gwaii, Ms. Trevena heard of three over-riding themes from the twenty participants that were in attendance:

Those being how the Haida Gwaii service was a lifeline for goods, services and medical care

Concerns over reliability and capacity of service

The need for additional amenities for long voyages

With the results of her tour of the fall in hand,  Ms. Trevena has relayed a range of findings that will frame some of the discussion moving forward, all part of a Pre-Engagement Regional Forums Summary.

The Introduction to the Study provides a glimpse as to the areas that the province had sought to explore as part of their early reach out to selected communities.

These pre-engagement forums targeted a cross-section of perspectives representing interests and regions from across British Columbia, including Indigenous communities and organizations, industry and non-profit organization stakeholders, school districts, health authorities, transportation planners and advocacy groups, Ferry Advisory Committees, labour groups, and provincial and municipal elected officials.

A parallel and separate Indigenous engagement process was also launched. Letters were sent to over 90 coastal First Nations to share information on the engagement process and invite participation through in-person meetings to discuss their views on a coastal ferry vision. The following table illustrates the timeline, location and attendance of the seven regional forums held across the province:

As part of its scope, the study reviewed who was using the Ferry services, their reasons for travel and how they planned to get to their destination and back.

Four broad themes emerged from their findings from the seven pre-engagement forums included on the list:

Theme 1: A coastal ferry system should support efficient end-to-end travel of people and goods

Theme 2: A coastal ferry system should be equitable and accessible. 

Theme 3: A coastal ferry system should mitigate and be responsive to climate change. 

 Theme 4: A coastal ferry system should reflect the values of the coastal communities.

When it comes to Routes and Terminals, those who participated in the pre-engagement forums had a range of ideas for the Ministry to consider.

Though with no forum taking place in Prince Rupert, residents of the North Coast did not have an opportunity to add some of the many themes that they have raised in the past, particularly when it comes to the state of BC Ferry service in this part of the province.

Those however with an interest in those concerns and ready to share some observations can do so through the online process now open, you can learn more about it here and log on to comment, remember the deadline for contributions comes to an end at 4PM on March 20th.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Minister introduces the online consultation period here, you can review the full Study document here.

For more notes on Marine Transportation on the North Coast, Haida Gwaii and Southeast Alaska see our archive page here.

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