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Report confirms BC Ferries issues
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Nicholas Simons says comptroller general points to need to serve public interest
by Paul Galinski | reporter@prpeak.com
Concerns raised by the provincial comptroller general about the BC Ferry system are welcome in some local quarters.
Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, said, “It seems the comptroller has pointed out many things that the opposition and yours truly have been raising with the government. First and foremost in that list is the government has forgotten to keep the public interest as a guiding principle of the ferry service.
“When they privatized, any accountability and oversight, including freedom of information access, was taken away from the public. What we’ve seen is a model in place where no agency looks out for the public interest, essentially.”
Simons said concerns have been expressed about the remuneration of BC Ferries executives and board members. He said many people are going to see that as an issue, and he does too, especially in BC’s current financial circumstances, but he’d primarily like to see government take steps to address access to information. Simons said his caucus advocates accountability through access to information.
“I’d also like to see communities choose representatives of their advisory committees again. BC Ferries is acting like it owns the place and they need to be reminded the public is the sole shareholder. Just because the Liberal government wrote a law that lets them get away with everything, I think the comptroller has pointed out the public interest needs to be paramount.
“This report has been described as scathing by some,” he said. “I think it’s a firm and straightforward report that demands government action.”
Bill Cripps, chair of the Northern Sunshine Coast ferry advisory committee (FAC), said the release speaks to the issues the FACs are working on. He said a concern is the sustainability of the minor routes, such as the ones that serve the Powell River region.
“Ridership is going down and a large part of that is fares,” he said. “Basically what we are saying is that we are pleased the comptroller general’s report does cover those issues.”
A joint news release from the FAC chairs (FACC) said the most significant recommendations affirm the public service role of coastal ferry service. The report notes that this is one of the province’s objectives, yet it is not reflected in the governance framework the province created in 2003:
“The focus on the sustainability of the ferry operator(s)...needs to be balanced with the interests of users of the ferry system, local communities and taxpayers.”
Tony Law, FACC chair, and chair of the Hornby-Denman FAC said the FACC has pointed out these deficiencies. “We are pleased that the comptroller general has recognized them and made constructive recommendations,” he said.
A key recommendation is to expand the role of the BC Ferry Commission beyond its current mandate, which focuses on the sustainability of the ferry operator and increasing user pay. The expanded mandate would require the commission to consider the interests of ratepayers and customers as well.
Law said the FACC is encouraged that the comptroller general finds BC Ferries “well managed and reasonably effective.” However, the report says it is not clear how BC Ferries will fund coming expenses that include replacing “seriously aging” vessels and upgrading terminals for non-major routes, he said. The FACC has concerns about the unknown impact of this on fares and service.
Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, said, “It seems the comptroller has pointed out many things that the opposition and yours truly have been raising with the government. First and foremost in that list is the government has forgotten to keep the public interest as a guiding principle of the ferry service.
“When they privatized, any accountability and oversight, including freedom of information access, was taken away from the public. What we’ve seen is a model in place where no agency looks out for the public interest, essentially.”
Simons said concerns have been expressed about the remuneration of BC Ferries executives and board members. He said many people are going to see that as an issue, and he does too, especially in BC’s current financial circumstances, but he’d primarily like to see government take steps to address access to information. Simons said his caucus advocates accountability through access to information.
“I’d also like to see communities choose representatives of their advisory committees again. BC Ferries is acting like it owns the place and they need to be reminded the public is the sole shareholder. Just because the Liberal government wrote a law that lets them get away with everything, I think the comptroller has pointed out the public interest needs to be paramount.
“This report has been described as scathing by some,” he said. “I think it’s a firm and straightforward report that demands government action.”
Bill Cripps, chair of the Northern Sunshine Coast ferry advisory committee (FAC), said the release speaks to the issues the FACs are working on. He said a concern is the sustainability of the minor routes, such as the ones that serve the Powell River region.
“Ridership is going down and a large part of that is fares,” he said. “Basically what we are saying is that we are pleased the comptroller general’s report does cover those issues.”
A joint news release from the FAC chairs (FACC) said the most significant recommendations affirm the public service role of coastal ferry service. The report notes that this is one of the province’s objectives, yet it is not reflected in the governance framework the province created in 2003:
“The focus on the sustainability of the ferry operator(s)...needs to be balanced with the interests of users of the ferry system, local communities and taxpayers.”
Tony Law, FACC chair, and chair of the Hornby-Denman FAC said the FACC has pointed out these deficiencies. “We are pleased that the comptroller general has recognized them and made constructive recommendations,” he said.
A key recommendation is to expand the role of the BC Ferry Commission beyond its current mandate, which focuses on the sustainability of the ferry operator and increasing user pay. The expanded mandate would require the commission to consider the interests of ratepayers and customers as well.
Law said the FACC is encouraged that the comptroller general finds BC Ferries “well managed and reasonably effective.” However, the report says it is not clear how BC Ferries will fund coming expenses that include replacing “seriously aging” vessels and upgrading terminals for non-major routes, he said. The FACC has concerns about the unknown impact of this on fares and service.
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