WHEREAS in 2003 the Province of British Columbia transformed BC Ferries from a Crown corporation into an independent commercial organization, with a mandate to provide a safe, reliable and efficient ferry service to coastal communities, while at the same time trying to find ways to mitigate costs to the Province of British Columbia; AND WHEREAS coastal communities are almost solely dependent on ferry access to healthdental care facilities, purchasing goods and services as well as finding ways to diversify their local economies through tourism enhancement: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the BC Ferry Authority and the Province of BC on behalf of coastal communities to stress the importance of improving the current level of service, replace aging ships and recognize that marine highways are an extension of provincial highways and therefore travel must be affordable, accessible and dependable.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION Government is committed to improving the service levels for all communities with ferry service. In 2003, the government transformed BC Ferries from a Crown corporation into an independent commercial organization, with a mandate to provide a safe, reliable and efficient ferry service to coastal communities, while at the same time trying to find ways to mitigate costs to the Province. BC Ferries is launching a vessel construction program to revitalize its overall fleet. It will replace 22 ships of varying sizes over the next 15 years. The Coastal Ferry Services Contract required BC Ferries to prepare a new strategy for its Northern Services that addresses both enhanced service levels and vessel replacements. The government is now reviewing BC Ferries Northern Services Strategy report.