VANCOUVER, B.C. - Conservative Party of BC Leader Lorne Doerkson has announced a plan to fix BC Ferries, including a BC Ferries Charter, a push for federal funding, and free high-speed Wi-Fi on major routes. The announcement, made October 11, is described as a core plank of the Conservative platform ahead of the October 24 provincial election. “David Eby has devastated BC Ferries,” the party stated. “After nine years of the NDP, British Columbians face cancelled sailings, overloaded routes and long waits.” A Conservative government would establish a BC Ferries Charter setting clear standards for reliability, on-time performance, capacity, affordability and customer service. The party says the Charter would hold BC Ferries leadership accountable and reduce board-level redundancy. The plan also includes negotiating with Ottawa for BC’s fair share of federal ferry funding. On connectivity, the Conservatives promise dependable high-speed Wi-Fi on major routes and terminals, delivered through competitive private-sector procurement using satellite or cellular technology. The party says this will come with “no new burden on fares or taxpayers.” “For families on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands, the ferry is a lifeline, and the NDP has let it fall apart,” said Ryan Windsor, Conservative candidate for Saanich North and the Islands. The ferry system matters to Surrey families who travel to Vancouver Island for holidays and family visits, where unreliable sailings and lack of connectivity have been frequent complaints. Source: Conservative Party of BC (https://conservativebc.ca/conservatives-will-fix-bc-ferries/)
Conservatives promise BC Ferries Charter, free Wi-Fi on major routes
