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Transportation

During question period on transportation, Gord Johns of the NDP asked why federal ferry funding treats British Columbia unfairly, noting federal support covers a large share of East Coast ferry costs but a small share in B.C., where fares are set to rise sharply, and calling on the government to update its decades-old funding arrangement. Parliamentary secretary Mike Kelloway replied that the federal government values the marine sector, that BC Ferries is a provincial Crown corporation, and that the government does provide substantial support and intends to continue supporting ferries where appropriate.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Gord Johns

NDP
“The federal government pays for almost half of East Coast ferry costs, but only three percent for British Columbia. Ferry prices in B.C. are about to go up by 30 percent. I want the government to update its 50-year-old deal and give B.C. ferries fair funding.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, British Columbians rallied last month demanding fair federal ferry funding. First nations, local governments, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, unions and residents delivered the same message. Ottawa covers 43% of East Coast Ferries’ operating costs and invests hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure, which we support, but B.C. gets just 3% and loans that ferry users must repay. With fares facing 30% increases, will the government finally modernize B.C.’s 50-year-old agreement and fairly fund B.C.’s marine highway?

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Mike Kelloway

Liberal
“Ferries are important to British Columbia and to Canada. The provincial government runs BC Ferries, but the federal government already gives a lot of money to help run them. We will keep supporting them when it makes sense.”

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, the marine sector on the west coast is important to this Canadian government. We want a productive, efficient and effective marine sector. When it comes to ferries in British Columbia, it is a Crown corporation, BC Ferries, that is regulated by the province. We do provide substantial monies toward operating, but we will be on the side of BC Ferries where it makes sense because it is important to British Columbians and, for that matter, its important to Canadians.

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