The federal government has pledged $60.5 million for BC Ferries terminal upgrades and vessel replacements, including about $17 million for the completion of the final phases of the Langdale terminal redevelopment. It’s the first time federal infrastructure funding has been granted to BC Ferries.
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Pam Goldsmith-Jones announced the funding March 31 at the Langdale terminal. The MLAs representing both ends of the Langdale-Horseshoe Bay route and BC Ferries president Mark Collins were also at the terminal for the announcement.
The funding also includes contributions toward the purchase of new ferries for the Powell River-Texada Island and Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula routes, and refurbishment of a used vessel to serve the route between Port Hardy and Bella Coola, as well as improvements at several of the passenger terminals on the Central Coast.
BC Ferries officials said they won’t release budgets for the individual projects to avoid skewing the tendering process, but the total works out to around $201 million with BC Ferries responsible for the balance.
The province already provides funding to BC Ferries and there was no project-specific provincial funding included in the announcement, but Collins said the B.C. government’s efforts were crucial to securing the federal money.
“The provincial government has worked with the federal government to facilitate BC Ferries’ inclusion in this program … so, without the critical support of the province, this contribution wouldn’t happen,” Collins said.
Goldsmith-Jones said including BC Ferries in federal infrastructure programs is a big step, and could help efforts to address the imbalance between operating subsidies for ferries in Atlantic Canada and B.C.
Last month’s federal budget promised up to $445.3 million for Marine Atlantic over three years and $278 million over five years for other ferry services in Atlantic Canada. In its business plan for fiscal 2017, BC Ferries said it was anticipating $29.1 million in federal subsidies through an agreement between Ottawa and the province.
“That’s a challenge,” said Goldsmith-Jones. “It’s not one that I shy away from – I raise it regularly. What today’s announcement allows us to do is keep that conversation going, and to remind the [rest of the] country of the robust nature and need of our BC Ferries fleet: for goods, for people and for the economy of the province and the country.”
Jordan Sturdy, the Liberal MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, said he hopes this is just the beginning of federal-provincial cooperation on ferry system infrastructure. A major upgrade at Horseshoe Bay in the coming years is also part of the company’s capital plan.
Sturdy also said a commitment to upgrade Langdale shouldn’t be seen as a signal that a fixed link is off the table.
“Regardless of what happens with a fixed link [feasibility study] outcome and any further actions on that, it’s a very long-term project. These kinds of improvements, to this terminal particularly … really need to be dealt with anyway.”
NDP MLA Nicholas Simons of Powell River-Sunshine Coast said terminal improvements and new vessels are a step in the right direction, but something also needs to be done about rising fares and scheduling.
“Ultimately, these are our essential transportation links, and need to be made more affordable, especially as services have been reduced and fares have gone up tremendously,” Simons said.
Construction on the next phases of the Langdale project, which include new terminal buildings and an overhead walkway for loading foot passengers, are expected to begin next year.
Collins said BC Ferries is working with the Sunshine Coast Regional District on zoning and other local approvals. The project also needs a final sign-off from the BC Ferries board and the Ferry Commissioner, who has to approve all major capital spending by the company.
The current work on Berth 1 wrapped up this week. Normal service was to resume on the Langdale – Horseshoe Bay run April 7. The Gambier – Keats ferry was also scheduled to start using Langdale again instead of Gibsons Marina.
