VANCOUVER, Nov. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Today's announcement of the proposed service cuts to BC Ferry Services by the provincial government is an indictment of this government's failure and a defacto admission of the Provinces inability or desire to address the issues in any meaningful fashion. This latest offering from the Minister of Transportation once again demonstrates the failure of the Coastal Ferry Act model.
BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union President, Chris Abbott calls the announcement "another Band-Aid solution for a terminally ill business model under the Coastal Ferry Act."
The purported cost savings seem insignificant when compared to the $200 million that the Minister is planning to spend on yet another Horseshoe Bay terminal upgrade. Which raises the questions; what is the plan for Horseshoe Bay and where will the $200 million come from?
"The Government clearly needs to get to the core of the problem with respect to the governance and oversight of BC Ferries." says Abbott
In the governments' last round of consultations seventy one (71) percent of respondents want to bring BC Ferries back under the Ministry of Transportation and the Province of BC and fund it appropriately.
"Coastal communities are drowning in a sea of ideology." said Abbott. "Burdened with the myth that BC Ferries can operate as a for profit business Company under the Coastal Ferry Act. It continues to have a negative impact on the economic and social well-being on the over 20% of British Columbians who rely daily on BC Ferries as an extension of the provincial highways system. "BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union will continue to speak out on behalf of our members, friends, families and communities until the ferry system is fixed properly." added President, Chris Abbott, BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union.
Image with caption: "BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union Logo (CNW Group/BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131118_C8648_PHOTO_EN_33529.jpg
SOURCE: BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union
Contact: Chris Abbott BCFMWU Provincial President - 250-716-3454 or [email protected]
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