BC Ferries

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After all the recent breakdowns and scheduling issues reported in the media, we’re left with the impression that BC Ferries is overseen by a patchwork of government-controlled entities. The executives leading these agencies reportedly receive generous compensation—presumably for their diligence and business acumen. To put a number to it, the CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, earned a base salary of $450,741 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, with total compensation—benefits, pension contributions, perks—around $529,607 (capped at $554,389).

So here’s a question for the wise folks in Victoria: why are ordinary Canadians being told to “Buy Local,” “Put Canada First,” and support the domestic economy—while facing 50% tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum, and 100% tariffs on canola—yet BC Ferries is buying four brand-new ships from China?

BC Ferries has awarded a contract to China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai) to build four major vessels, set to enter service between 2029 and 2031. That decision followed a global procurement process, despite no bids from Canadian shipyards.

Is there a separate reality for Crown corporations? Couldn’t awarding those contracts to Canadian shipbuilders have injected millions in federal tax dollars into our economy—and used some of that surplus Canadian steel we’re all supposed to be protecting?

~ Syd Loeppky, Blind Bay, BC, July 2025

As concerned citizens, we think it’s time for a different approach: Keep it simple. Use BC. Buy Canadian.