Ferry service reductions will irreparably harm Texada Island, according to residents who spoke at a meeting on Monday evening, November 25.
About 150 people packed into the Gillies Bay Community Hall to express their opinions about the proposed reduction of service on the Powell River-Texada Island route.
Provincial government and BC Ferries representatives are holding a series of meetings in communities facing reductions as a result of the province’s plan to find $18.9 million in savings. The government proposes to reduce Texada’s service by 22.9 per cent, the highest percentage of any route south of Port Hardy. Texada will be losing 834 round trips a year, including two daily—the 7:40 pm and 10:10 pm—and one each on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Sandy McCormick, a Texada representative on the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), listed the many activities residents would not be able to attend if the last sailing of the day was cut, ranging from students not being able to attend extracurricular activities to adults not being able to go out to dinner or a concert or movie in Powell River. “This is going to have a huge negative social and cultural impact to the fabric of Texada Island,” she said. “These cuts are not balanced nor thoughtful nor fair.”
The most consistent point made throughout the meeting was a call to return BC Ferries to the ministry of transportation. As well, speaker after speaker spoke about the negative impact the cuts would have on the island’s economy and tourism. Many speakers pointed out what they viewed as inequities, such as the inland ferry system which is free even though alternative highway routes are available, the expensive salaries and bonuses for BC Ferries’ executives and the free ferry passes for employees and some politicians. Others commented on the government’s plan to reduce the seniors’ discount by 50 per cent and introduce a gaming pilot project on the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route. While some speakers were angry, most expressed frustration, at high fares, reduced service and at being consulted yet again.
Kevin Richter, assistant deputy minister for the marine portfolio in the ministry of transportation and infrastructure, said while the government has absolutely decided on having $18.9 million in service reductions, there is an opportunity to modify or refine the Texada schedule. There are two shifts right now on the route, he said, and the idea is to reduce overtime costs by moving the shifts so there are four round trips in the morning and four at the end of the day, with a bigger gap in the middle of the day.
David Hendry, BC Ferries’ director of strategic planning, said the company didn’t want to be presumptuous and put a schedule down without talking to the community. The company will be back in January to talk to the FAC, Hendry said, to get more input. “I think it’s critical, as Kevin said, to put your feedback into this discussion guide and feedback form and let us know from your standpoint which of these sailings are critical.”
MLA Nicholas Simons, who represents Powell River-Sunshine Coast, sent a message to Transportation Minister Todd Stone, because the legislature has only been in session for 36 days this year. “I hope he recognizes that when you make decisions that fundamentally change the lifestyle of a community and potentially put their economic viability at risk, you’d think somebody in this well-managed government would come along and do an assessment of the impact of those cuts before making them,” he said, after which there was sustained cheering and applause from the crowd.
Brandon Rairie, a Brooks Secondary School Student, spoke about the Upper Island Soccer Association, an elite league for Under-14 to -17 players that includes Powell River and Texada. He said it was crucial that the Saturday evening and Sunday morning round trips on the Powell River-Comox route not be eliminated because it would be impossible to play on weekends on Vancouver Island. “The social impact on youth sports in Powell River and Texada will absolutely be devastating.”
More information, including feedback forms, is available at www.coastalferriesengagement.ca.
