Letter FROM the Minister!

Don't EVER tell me that a letter to the proper person will not produce results.  A pebble, no matter how small, when dropped into the water will still produce a ripple.  A voice, no mater how soft, still makes a sound.

Here is the letter FROM the Minister.


rlburelle@shaw.ca

217733 – BC Ferries

Dear Lynn:

Thank you for your e-mail of June 11, 2013, regarding BC Ferries.

I agree that families living in our island and coastal communities need affordable, efficient ferry service and I appreciate the opportunity to review your comments. As you are likely aware, the ministry recently undertook a public consultation and engagement process on coastal ferry services, and I hope you were able to participate. The purpose of this process was to seek feedback on specific issues associated with the current and future challenges – such as increasing fuel costs and low ridership – that are facing our coastal ferry system.

Over the eight weeks, senior ministry staff hosted 40 public consultation meetings in 30 communities. More than 2,000 people attended the public meetings and almost 2,000 feedback forms and written submissions were received. The high level of participation reflects the importance of the coastal ferry system to the people of B.C.

The engagement process was part of our response to BC Ferry Commissioner Gordon Macatee’s review of the Coastal Ferry Act (CFA). Commissioner Macatee released a report with his recommendations last year. The review indicated that ferry users, the operator and the Province all need to contribute to ensure the sustainability of the coastal ferry system.

The government has made amendments to the CFA to reduce pressure on fares and, in addition, is increasing its funding over four years by $79.5 million. This year, the federal and provincial funding will be more than $200 million. While the Commissioner is responsible for setting the final price caps, the amended legislation and additional funding are intended to enable the price cap increases to decline over time.

I have taken the liberty of sharing a copy of your correspondence with the ministry staff involved in the consultation and engagement process, so that they are aware of your feedback. The issues facing our coastal ferry service are complex, and the ministry will need to take some time to review the information received from the process, along with financial, policy and technical considerations. A copy of the report summarizing the input the ministry received from British Columbians can be found at: http://www.coastalferriesengagement.ca/.

I want to assure you the provincial government remains committed to finding solutions to best balance the needs of ferry users with the interests of B.C. taxpayers and the ferry operator. As the newly appointed Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure we have a coastal ferry system that is sustainable in the long term.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,


Todd Stone
Minister

Copy to:    Kirk Handrahan, Executive Director
       Marine Branch