I’ve been wondering what the economic and social impacts of the B.C. government’s cutting of BC Ferries services (and raising of fares) are going to be?
I’ve been wondering if the government has conducted any assessments of these? I don’t recall seeing any government studies to that effect. But I have heard that some young families are leaving the islands and that some businesses could be failing because of the cuts. Grandparents might not be able to afford to visit their families. Rates (and executive salaries) have gone up and ridership has gone down. What about the effect to tourism? I think that the so-called BC Ferries “consultations” with people in coastal communities were a sham. Why bother having them at all if people are not going to be listened to? Minds were already made up.
BC Ferries needs a plan. The ferries need to be available, and affordable. And the people of our coastal communities deserve to be listened to. Let’s invite the Minister of Transportation to come ride on our ferries and tell him that we value our ferry system, and that we want to be acknowledged. We don’t want service cuts and rate hikes! See you at the public meeting this Saturday, March 8, 2 p.m. at the Campbell River Labour Hall on 14th. Ave.
Hugh Smith