BC’s New Democratic Party (NDP) is proposing changes to the Coastal Ferry Act that would end “lavish” pay increases for ferry executives.
“A simple change to the Coastal Ferry Act would stop these unacceptable annual compensation increases for top ferry executives that have become a tradition in BC, even as ferry passengers are hit with rising fares and service cuts” said BC NDP leader Adrian Dix.
The legislation directs BC Ferry Authority to take Crown corporation pay scales into account when setting new executive salaries, but the government failed to require the authority to adhere to public sector wage freezes or the elimination of bonuses, according to the NDP.
“Every year in the wake of public frustration, Liberal cabinet ministers feign disappointment over rising executive compensation despite their own lack of action to end the practice,” said Nicolas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. “This year is no exception, with the transportation minister saying he wants the ferry authority and corporation to respect the spirit of the executive compensation freeze announced for Crown corporations last July, but refusing to act. The minister could make the necessary changes so that BC Ferry Authority must honour the wage freeze and end performance bonuses, but he won’t.”
Earlier this month, the corporation revealed its chief executive officer Michael Corrigan made $563,000 after bonuses and a salary boost of eight per cent.
Executive vice-president Glen Schwartz saw his “annual incentive” pay increase to $127,008, up $64,298. And Robert Clarke, executive vice-president and chief financial officer, saw his bonus jump to $133,711, up $73,359.
Donald Hayes, chair of BC Ferries, defended the pay bonuses and perks during the corporation’s annual general meeting on Friday, August 23. “We must attract highly skilled and experienced executives to run what is one of the world’s largest integrated marine enterprises,” he said during the meeting.
