Whereas public wharves and docks are critical transportation links for people, supplies, and emergency services in coastal communities, and there is a lack of coordinated provincial and federal priority setting and funding to support and maintain critical connectivity along BCs 25,000 kilometres of coastline; And whereas the federal government divested government wharves, and the responsibility for maintenance and management of public ports has fallen entirely on local taxpayers and nonprofit groups, and the provincial government does not have a ministry responsible for dealing with for the complex issues involving public ports, especially in unincorporated areas: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial and federal governments to review BCs marine network as a whole and identify ports that are vulnerable to long-term funding concerns as well as extreme weather events for more sustained public support to maintain critical connectivity along BCs 25,000 kilometres of coastline to meet the long term economic, social, and emergency needs of coastal residents.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit The Ministry of Transportation and Transit recognizes the vital role that public wharves and docks play in supporting connectivity for coastal communities. These facilities are essential for providing access to residents, emergency services, and the movement of goodsparticularly in remote or unincorporated areas. Public marine infrastructure in British Columbia is primarily under the jurisdiction of the federal government or local port authorities. Transport Canada established the National Ports System for marine infrastructure that is economically significant through the Canada Marine Act and the Canada Port Authorities system. In BC, there are four National Ports System ports in Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Prince Rupert, and Metro Vancouver. Port Authorities are financially self-sufficient and can set fair and reasonable fees required for the maintenance of marine infrastructure under their jurisdiction. British Columbias resilient transportation network incorporates coastal and inland ferries, which leverage terminal and other infrastructure as part of their operation. In coastal areas, terminal infrastructure is owned, designed and managed by BC Ferries to support delivery of the Coastal Ferry Services Contract, while in inland areas, the BC Transportation Finance Authority owns and maintains the assets as part of the broader road network. We will continue to collaborate with our federal counterparts, including through federal-provincial-territorial forums, to support improved coordination and investment in marine infrastructure that serves the needs of British Columbians.