Fair Federal Ferry Funding: In The News

Freeland called back to testify on BC Ferries’ deal with Chinese shipyard

Eby said he was disappointed there had not been more emphasis on what he called “the incredibly unfortunate treatment” of ferry users in British Columbia compared with those in Eastern Canada.

“The fact that the federal government paid for an entire ferry built at the same (Chinese) shipyard for Eastern Canada, and that it is somehow a problem that BC Ferries users get access to a low-interest loan, is bizarre,” he said.

“It is a situation where B.C. ferry users get, on average, $1 in federal subsidy, while eastern ferry users get $300 in federal subsidies. And so as a result, that disparity and that unfairness needs to be addressed.”

Premier calls for 'fair treatment' for ferry users in B.C. after Ottawa cuts fares in Eastern Canada

Premier David Eby is calling on Ottawa to increase the federal subsidy for ferry users in B.C. after Prime Minister Mark Carney followed through on a promise to lower ferry fares in Eastern Canada.

Eby said Monday that the federal government subsidizes ferry users on the East Coast by about $300 per person, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 per person, and said provinces should receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program. 

The premier said Ottawa must up the federal subsidy for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades.