“Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank my colleague for staying up late tonight to show up for this important debate. I am going to correct a couple of things. First of all, the pandemic relief that the federal government provided to BC Ferries was also provided to the east coast. It was equal in terms of per capita. Second, the loans that the member cited are repayable loans. Even with the loan interest at $26 million a year and the $38 million, when we look at loan savings per year over 25 years, that does not even come close to the hundreds of millions of dollars that the federal government subsidizes on the east coast. There are approximately 350,000 passengers on the east coast and 22 million at BC Ferries, yet the federal government gives hundreds of millions of dollars to Atlantic Canada, which we support, but they shortchange British Columbians. It has been far too long since the government has reviewed the essential ferry funding for British Columbians. It is time for the government to fix it. The population of Vancouver Island is more than the population of New Brunswick, more than that of Newfoundland and Labrador and P.E.I. together, and almost the same as that of Nova Scotia. This is long overdue. I am here at 12.22 a.m. not because I think this is fair. It is unfair.”
Statement grade
A
The average of Signal, Relevance, Respect and Clarity.
Average 94 / 100
A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Thanks 8%Claims 85%Positioning 7%
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 15 wordsI thank my colleague for his work and for his advocacy on this important issue.ThanksClaims · 71 wordsAs I mentioned before, ferry services in Canada are a lifeline for communities to get goods to market and support the economy.BC Ferries is one of the largest ferry operators in the world.It provides an essential public service that plays a critical role in the day-to-day lives of British Columbians, in terms of bringing together smaller communities and facilitating connections to key services such as doctor’s appointments and education.Positioning · 14 wordsWe are very well aware of the importance of the ferries to these communities.PositioningClaims · 90 wordsThat is why, since 1977, we have provided an indexed annual contribution to the Province of British Columbia for the coastal ferry service within the province.1This year alone, it is nearly $38.6 million.2In exchange for an annual grant, the Province of British Columbia assumes sole responsibility for determining which ferry services receive financial assistance, 3and the Government of Canada was relieved of all obligations related to the funding and operation of ferry service within the province.4In addition to the grant, we also provide funding to BC Ferries.5
