From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello,
Summer’s bustle has faded while the warm amber of the big leaf maples is brightening our shorter days. We are so fortunate to live in a beautiful place which visitors want to experience and while visiting, support our island economy. Along with our golden memories of a lovely island summer, some folks may have recollections of seasonal ferry-related traffic concerns.
Hello,
The past week was a blur of learning, advocating, and networking as I was immersed for five and a half days at the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention which this year took place in lovely Victoria BC.
Along with study sessions, learning workshops, discussion forums, and plenary sessions from early morning till late afternoon, UBCM provides an opportunity for regional districts and municipalities to advocate on their priority issues with provincial Ministers and to meet with provincial staff as well. This report shares an update on advocacy the SRD Board & I engaged in, representing regional and community concerns with the Province.
Continue reading Area C Director’s Report: update on UBCM advocacy
By Isaac Phan Nay, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The union that represents BC Ferries workers is headed into difficult contract talks this summer — but hopes to avoid any job action that could impact ferry operations.
An arbitration panel’s decision on wages earlier this spring will set the tone for the negotiations, said union leader Eric McNeely.
As part of the existing collective agreement, the panel decided May 30 that BC Ferries workers will earn a 1.65 per cent raise.
McNeely said he’s disappointed with the decision to put the workers’ raise behind inflation.
Continue reading BC Ferries Is Still Facing Labour Unrest. Here’s the Latest
BC Ferries currently deploys 11 vessels on its major routes that connect Vancouver Island with the Lower Mainland. Six of these are decades old and nearing the end of their effective service life. While the volume of traffic has significantly increased over the past three decades, there have not been any additions to the major routes carrying capacity since the Spirit Class vessels were introduced in 1993-94. Consequently, 60% of the vehicles using the ferry on a major route last summer had to wait for at least one sailing. In a bold move to bring this portion of its fleet into the 21st century, on Friday, December 13, BC Ferries applied to the BC Ferries Commissioner for permission to add 5 New Major Vessels (NMV).
Continue reading New Major Vessels For A 21st Century Ferry ServiceAs some of you may have already heard, BC Ferries is going through changes. They range from a total revamp of the way they have been engaging with the public, to expenses that probably won’t effect fares until 2028.
Let’s start with finances. BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez recently informed the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce the cost to build ferries has risen 40% since 2020. Speaking as a customer, my immediate thought was this sounds like there is a fare hike coming.
Jeff Groot, BC Ferries Executive Director in charge of communications, responded “I think that’s a fair reaction. There’s a couple of things that we’re experiencing right now.”
Continue reading Planned price increases; dismantling FAC’s – Changes Coming To BC Ferries
