Latest news with #BCFerries
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Equal funding is the answer': Eby says Ottawa must lift subsidy for B.C. ferry users
VICTORIA - Premier David Eby has called for the federal government to float more money for ferry users in British Columbia, adding that equal funding 'is the answer,' after Ottawa cut ferry rates in Atlantic Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Aug. 1, there will be a 50 per cent fare cut for passenger, vehicle and commercial users of Marine Atlantic — a constitutionally mandated ferry service connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Eby said now is the time for the federal government to have a 'serious look' at the current funding formula for B.C. ferry users, which has come under scrutiny in the wake of federal criticism of a BC Ferries contract with a Chinese ship builder. 'The ask is very straightforward,' Eby said. 'We need the same per-capita funding that any other province gets through any other announcements that (are) made across the country.' He added that 'fairness, equality, and access' to programs from the federal government is 'mission-critical.' The premier acknowledged that Carney's announcement was an election promise, but said Ottawa must 'up the federal subsidy' for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades. Eby has noted previously that the federal government subsidizes ferry users in Atlantic Canada by about $300 per person, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 per person. He said Monday that provinces must receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program, renewing a familiar complaint about B.C. being treated unfairly under Canada's system of equalization payments. 'Doesn't matter, if it is an economic program, a subsidy for ferries, subsidies for road building, subsidies for immigration, health care funding, child care funding — you name it,' he said. 'Equal funding is the answer.' Carney's announcement comes after the federal government condemned the BC Ferries contract with a Chinese state-owned company to build four vessels, even as the Canada Infrastructure Bank lent the company money for the ferries. That same Chinese shipyard, Chinese Merchants Industry Weihai, also built one of Atlantic Canada's newest vessels through an agreement with Stena RoRo. No Canadian companies bid for the BC Ferries contract, and the company, which is solely owned by the provincial government, has repeatedly said the Chinese shipyard had 'the strongest bid by a significant margin.' BC Ferries said in a statement that it recognized the federal government's decision to reduce ferry and bridge prices in Atlantic Canada. 'Ferry service is just as essential in British Columbia,' it added. 'It's a vital part of our transportation network, connecting people, goods and services across coastal communities every day.' The total value of the federal contribution to BC Ferries is $37.8 million in 2025-26. According to BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union, federal support for Marine Atlantic is almost $130 million. BC Ferries said it uses a different funding model to deliver services. Partial funding comes from the province, with some money coming from the federal government, under an arrangement negotiated in 1977. 'But we also operate one of the largest and most complex ferry systems in the world, and unlike many other jurisdictions, the vast majority of system costs are paid directly by ferry users,' the statement said. 'Without additional support, fares would need to increase by more than 30 per cent in 2028 alone, just to keep up with operating and capital pressures,' it added. The statement went on to say that 'continued collaboration' across all levels of government will be necessary to keep ferry travel 'reliable, affordable and sustainable' for coastal British Columbians. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C. Premier Eby says Ottawa must increase its subsidy for B.C. ferry users
VICTORIA - Premier David Eby says it is time for the federal government to float more money for ferry users in British Columbia after Ottawa cut ferry rates in Atlantic Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Aug. 1, there will be a 50 per cent fare cut for passenger, vehicle and commercial users of Marine Atlantic — a constitutionally mandated ferry service connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Eby says now it's time for the federal government to have a 'serious look' at the current funding formula for B.C. ferry users. The premier acknowledged that Carney's announcement today was an election promise, but says Ottawa must 'up the federal subsidy' for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades. Eby has noted previously that the federal government subsidizes ferry users in Atlantic Canada by about $300 per person, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 per person, and says provinces must receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program. Carney's announcement comes after the federal government heavily criticized the BC Ferries contract with a Chinese state-owned company to build one of its vessels, even as the Canada Infrastructure Bank loaned the company money for the ferry. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. Premier Eby says Ottawa must increase its subsidy for B.C. ferry users
VICTORIA – Premier David Eby says it is time for the federal government to float more money for ferry users in British Columbia after Ottawa cut ferry rates in Atlantic Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Aug. 1, there will be a 50 per cent fare cut for passenger, vehicle and commercial users of Marine Atlantic — a constitutionally mandated ferry service connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Eby says now it's time for the federal government to have a 'serious look' at the current funding formula for B.C. ferry users. The premier acknowledged that Carney's announcement today was an election promise, but says Ottawa must 'up the federal subsidy' for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades. Eby has noted previously that the federal government subsidizes ferry users in Atlantic Canada by about $300 per person, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 per person, and says provinces must receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Carney's announcement comes after the federal government heavily criticized the BC Ferries contract with a Chinese state-owned company to build one of its vessels, even as the Canada Infrastructure Bank loaned the company money for the ferry. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
B.C. Premier Eby says Ottawa must increase its subsidy for B.C. ferry users
VICTORIA — Premier David Eby says it is time for the federal government to float more money for ferry users in British Columbia after Ottawa cut ferry rates in Atlantic Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Aug. 1, there will be a 50 per cent fare cut for passenger, vehicle and commercial users of Marine Atlantic — a constitutionally mandated ferry service connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Eby says now it's time for the federal government to have a "serious look" at the current funding formula for B.C. ferry users. The premier acknowledged that Carney's announcement today was an election promise, but says Ottawa must "up the federal subsidy" for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades. Eby has noted previously that the federal government subsidizes ferry users in Atlantic Canada by about $300 per person, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 per person, and says provinces must receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program. Carney's announcement comes after the federal government heavily criticized the BC Ferries contract with a Chinese state-owned company to build one of its vessels, even as the Canada Infrastructure Bank loaned the company money for the ferry. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025. Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press
Global News
2 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Ferry fare fairness: Eby slams Ottawa after feds slash East Coast fares by 50%
British Columbia Premier David Eby tore into the federal government on Monday after Ottawa slashed ferry fares on the East Coast by 50 per cent. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the rate cuts for the Eastern Canada Ferry Services, which serve P.E.I., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec and Marine Atlantic, which connects Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, earlier Monday. The fare cuts were a federal Liberal election promise. 1:24 'We shouldn't be giving federal tax dollars to subsidize jobs overseas:' Poilievre calls for loan to BC Ferries to be cancelled Eby said major new subsidies for East Coast ferries but not for those in B.C. are a symptom of 'structural unfairness.' Story continues below advertisement 'Not only are we paying billions of additional equalization to Quebec and Manitoba and a billion dollars to Ontario, but also we have to watch the federal government show up on the East Coast and subsidize ferry users that already get a $300 subsidy per each $1 that a B.C. ferry user gets,' Eby said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The ask is very straightforward. We need the same per-capita funding, the same per-person funding that any province gets. Through any other announcement that's made across the country.' BC Ferries has been grappling with surging demand and aging vessels. The company warned last year it could need to raise fares by as much as 30 per cent amid rising costs. 3:07 Ottawa to study BC Ferries controversial decision Earlier this year, the company announced plans to procure four new, larger vessels from a Chinese shipyard, a move that drew criticism from multiple quarters — including both the federal Liberal government and Conservative MPs. Story continues below advertisement Earlier this month, the House of Commons transport committee opened a probe into a federal $1 billion loan BC Ferries received for the purchase. BC Ferries said the Chinese bid was $1.2 billion cheaper than competing European offers, and presented the best option to keep passenger fares down. The shipyard, China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai), has also built ferries for Marine Atlantic, one of the recipients of the new federal ferry fare subsidies.
