City of Powell River council is considering a self-run ferry service in the wake of issues with fewer BC Ferries runs and increased economic isolation.
A renewed sense of frustration has surfaced recently as a limited winter schedule has been brought in, coupled with smaller vessels replacing Powell River’s regular ferries.
“My experience so far with ferry advisory committee meetings is that it’s not consultation with the communities,” said councillor Karen Skadsheim, a member of the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory committee. “It’s just lip service saying that BC Ferries is communicating with communities.”
Skadsheim made the comments in reaction to news from the Southern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory committee meeting where members of that board were told by BC Ferries the issue of fare equity was closed. The committee was also told the number of sailings would not be reconsidered unless it could make revenue for the ferry corporation.
Mayor Dave Formosa, speaking to council and residents at the November 3 committee of the whole meeting, said he has a plan for Powell River to “take charge of its own destiny” and run its own ferry service.
“Our isolation is one of our greatest assets and it’s one of our greatest problems,” said Formosa. “BC Ferries is not going to solve these problems, so the answer for us is to take over the ferry system for the Powell River region.”
Formosa said that he had received a commitment from BC transportation minister Todd Stone to meet with him after the Union of BC Municipalities conference wrapped up. The meeting has been requested.
Formosa added that he and councillors also sat down with NDP opposition leader John Horgan to discuss the issue.
Further details about the plan were not made available, but Formosa said it would require an agreement with BC Ferries for the routes it services to and from Powell River.
“I just think we can do a much better job,” he added, “representing ourselves here.”
