WHEREAS BC Ferries announced in early 2011 that ferry rates would increase 100 in four years on all northern routes; AND WHEREAS the ferry route to Haida Gwaii is an extension of Highway 16 and an essential service for its residents for both personal and freight transportation: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the provincial government to recognize our coastal ferry services as essential extensions of our provincial public highway system and provide the independent BC Ferry Commission with a mandate to provide comprehensive recommendations aimed at creating equity between our terrestrial and marine highways and keeping jobs in coastal BC; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the provincial government to ensure that the BC Ferry fares are reduced and current service levels are maintained at current levels until such time as the provincial governments implements legislation that recognizes our coastal ferry services as essential extensions of our provincial public highway system and creates equity between BCs terrestrial and marine highway systems.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure The Province recognizes that the coastal ferry system is an integral part of the provincial transportation network and families living in coastal communities need access to reliable and affordable ferry service. Since 2001, the Province has contributed over 1 billion to support coastal ferry services. Last year, the new BC Ferry Commissioner, Gordon Macatee, requested that the Province provide him with the mandate to review the current model. In response, the Legislature passed Costal Ferry Amendment Act CFAA in June 2011 giving the Ferry Commissioner the mandate, time and resources to review the Coastal Ferry Act in order to recommend changes that would better balance the interests of ferry users with the financial sustainability of the ferry operator. While the review is underway, CFAA limited the Price Cap increase to 4.15 for all routes in 201213. As part of the review, the Commissioner is conducting an extensive consultation process with coastal communities to ensure that their experiences, perspectives and suggestions are reflected in the report. The Commissions recommendations were released on January 24, 2012. The Province is reviewing these recommendations, and will be be making decisions without undue delay.