With the period ending March 31 representing BC Ferries' busiest operating year on record and “this year shaping up to be another record breaker," president and chief executive officer Nicholas Jimenez said BC Ferries achieved record revenue growth but “ expenses rose faster than revenues."
Those comments formed part of Jimenez's opening statements at the corporation’s Aug. 15 annual general meeting hosted in New Westminster and streamed live online to registered attendees.
According to Jimenez and other event presenters, the 22.6 million passengers and 9.6 million vehicles that travelled with them last year faced fewer sailing waits (down 10.6 per cent compared to the previous year), despite a slight decrease in vessels' overall on-time performance.
The most recent year’s operating expenses of $1,088 million were up by 10 per cent over the previous year and revenues increased by seven per cent to $1,111 million. But subtracting “net financing and other expenses” of $54 million, meant the corporation ran at a net loss of $31.4 million. As of March 2023, its net loss was $1.4 million (the lesser loss in part because of pandemic funding). The corporation's capital investment program also ramped up in the most recent fiscal year, coming in at $254 million over the previous year’s $131 million.
Two views on staffing issues
A point of pride noted in the CEO’s presentation was that BCF was “back on the path to being an employer of choice." He said staffing levels had increased by 5.5 per cent over 2023, that there was reduced turnover, and a new casual employee program, which all contributed to a reduction in crewing-related sailing cancellations.
During question period, one member of the live audience challenged Jimenez on staffing, stating that sailing cancellation numbers remain “huge and with 40 per cent of cancellations staff related, it looks like a management problem." The CEO responded that weather is the biggest cause of cancellations, that crewing-related cancellations were down substantially, and to date are showing “huge progress over 2023."
Recognition for local FAC chair
Other AGM speakers included the chairs of BC Ferry Services Inc., Joy McPhail, and of the BC Ferry Authority Board, David Levi. The latter included special recognition for local ferry advisory committee (FAC) chair, Diana Mumford, in his presentation. Mumford, who also leads the FAC chairperson group, was in the room to hear those accolades.
“I believe it is the first time I have personally been singled out by the chair of the BC Ferry Authority Board at the AGM and it was an honour to be recognized for the work we do as volunteers for BC Ferries and our communities,” Mumford told Coast Reporter.
She explained that the FAC representatives met with BCF and others the day before the AGM. “Our format and meeting process was completely different than previous years. We have been assured by BCF that it is a 'one off' for this year only… the majority of chairs want to go back to our usual process next year."
“We had an evening event with BCF executive team, commissioner, and board representatives. FAC chairs had sent questions ahead of time for a response, and some of them were answered by BCF executives. This evening event provided an opportunity for FAC chairs to meet all the new members to the BCF executive team, as only two were the same as last year… I always find that in-person opportunities provide more connectivity.”
The FAC chairs also spent a full day in a "community prioritization panel” workshop. Mumford said that was designed to determine the next steps for completing a formal report to BC Ferries, including a list of what the FAC chairs want to see as near-term priorities for the coastal ferry system. She said the Southern Sunshine Coast FAC’s suggestions were to focus on communication during delays and cancellations, Horseshoe Bay pre-ticketing amenities and communication and near-term service improvements.
