Election 2009: Ferries on the Menu?

[Mill Bay]

It seems as if the Ferries are making it onto the election platform, if only quietly.

Ferries floated as election issue
Ladysmith Chronicle

Text
Published: April 27, 2009 5:00 PM

To Vancouver Island voters, the issue of rising rates for B.C. Ferries is a critical one and is likely to be a top issue in the upcoming provincial election.

Rates have climbed more than 80 per cent over the last decade under privatization and are scheduled to rise more, making travel back and forth to the Lower Mainland, as well as on minor routes, an expense people are now thinking twice about.

The riding of Nanaimo-North Cowichan is the epicentre of the debate over rising ferry costs.

The constituency has three minor ferry routes, including the Salt Spring/Crofton route and the Chemainus/Thetis/Kuper connection, which has been the source of affordability questions in recent months.

Doug Routley, representing the NDP, said rates would be frozen by the NDP and the service should once again be a Crown corporation.

“Our slogan is Give Back Your B.C. and B.C. Ferries is a symbolic part of that campaign. Under the Liberals we have given away our logs, BC Rail and our ferry system. People in B.C. work hard for B.C., the NDP is not in the practice of giving away our most vital industrial and transportation links.”

Routley said that as a private corporation, borrowing rates are higher than Crown rates and those rates have led to higher ferry fares beyond the cost of fuel.

Ian Gartshore, the Green Party candidate, agrees B.C. Ferries should be operated by the province, and that it should be a part of a co-ordinated public transit system to reduce the reliance on vehicles.

“The Green Party would also cancel the exemption of BC Ferries Corporation from the Greenhouse Gas Reductions Target Act,” said Gartshore. “We need to take climate change seriously if we wish future generations to have a quality of life in beautiful British Columbia.”

Liberal candidate Rob Hutchins said acceptable price points and service are key in fulfilling the public’s need to access the system both on major and minor routes, and affordability is also important for both public and commercial use to keep Island communities healthy.

“The question for me is, is the subsidy level from the government enough,” said Hutchins. “It is a tremendous investment and through that we’ve seen service levels increase, improvement to the fleet and even the level of catering on the boats improve. But we have to ensure the level of affordability for people who rely on the ferry every day from smaller communities is intact.”

Hutchins added that committees like the Ferry Advisory Committee, which has appointees from Gulf Islands and First Nations, play a key role in providing information on ferry policy.

[Neil]

Problem is, this election is as lacking in suspense as any I can remember. I don't recall ever seeing a Premier as comfortable, and less worried about the opposition, as Gordon Campbell appears to be right now. From where I sit, the only thing to be decided is how many seats will the NDP lose. And I speak as someone who's given money to the party and has a lawn sign out front of my house.

BC Ferries is not an issue with the Liberals- they seem quite content with the course the company is on. So, I can't imagine any changes being made that would satisfy those who would like the ferries to be an issue in this campaign.

Contentious issues on the public's mind right now? The economy, swine flu, or, more likely, how the Canucks will fare against the 'Hawks. Ferries are down the list a bit.

[rt1commuter]

I don't understand this election. This should be like shooting fish in a barrel for the NDP. The right-of-center economic policies the BC Liberals espouse are one of the causes of this economic crisis, Yet they tout themselves as the solution to BC's problems after rather explicitly being the cause. Issues such as the Canada Line P3 (and generally the fact that P3's are MORE expensive and less efficient to the taxpayer!), the BC Rail theft, skyrocketing costs of the Olympics, growing homelessness and unemployment problems all over this province, BC Ferries fares etc. Yet they're poised for another sweeping majority government. Why?!?

[Balfour]

Apr 28, 2009 14:43:31 GMT -8 rt1commuter said:

Yet they're poised for another sweeping majority government. Why?!?

Take a good look at the NDP's campaign ads from 2005 and compare them to this year's.

There really is not much of a difference. It is all nothing but mudslinging.

Now take a look at Carole James' platform. There are no original ideas presented that catch people's attention, all I've heard is "lets reverse everything Gordon Campbell has done."

As a voter, I see it as plain old-fashioned ideological politics and it's nothing new and exciting to me.

[Dane]

I agree with all these comments. I used to be very politically active, and now so apathetic I probably would consider not voting except for the fact I work for Elections BC.

Personally, I will vote Green. I don't believe in Carol James, ideologically (at the highest level, not necessarily case by case) I am a Liberal but they stole BC Rail and BC Ferries, and I don't disagree with the Greens.

In my riding the Liberals could run a non-fat double shot white chocolate mocha and it would get 70% of the vote.

[timmyboy]

Well put Dane. I must say I agree with you. Typically I am a conservative at heart but here in BC it seems you must vote for the least of all evils and that currently appears to be Green. Unfortunately thinking that way in our current political and fiscal climate it seems like a wasted vote.

[rt1commuter]

I guess the real important thing is to get BC-STV to pass (as much as I hate it). Then at least we'll have a better government next time around.

[Mill Bay]

Apr 28, 2009 15:08:01 GMT -8 Balfour said:

Apr 28, 2009 14:43:31 GMT -8 rt1commuter said:

Yet they're poised for another sweeping majority government. Why?!?

Take a good look at the NDP's campaign ads from 2005 and compare them to this year's.

There really is not much of a difference. It is all nothing but mudslinging.

Now take a look at Carole James' platform. There are no original ideas presented that catch people's attention, all I've heard is "lets reverse everything Gordon Campbell has done."

As a voter, I see it as plain old-fashioned ideological politics and it's nothing new and exciting to me.

It's not even about ideology either. There is none in either party right now. The liberals are only congratulating themselves for growing so fat off of the people of BC and the NDP seem like each member of the party can't see beyond the boundaries of their own riding. The Liberals aren't even aware of the fact that there are individual ridings. They just see BC as one big melting pot: a gold forge for their own personal wealth and happiness. One party has it's head so high in the clouds it can't even see where BC is, the other is so divided into separate airtight little compartments it can't see where BC is either.

The current government should be declared unconstitutional simply on an ethical basis stemming from Gordon Campbell's clearly partisan ideals and activities. I thought it was so utterly repulsive when he tried to place himself in everybody else's shoes by claiming his wife had already commandeered his carbon tax rebate for a new fridge. If someone who is making close to $200,000 a year can't afford a fridge, there is something wrong with the way he spends his money, and yet he tries to make us believe he can be responsible for our money.

Similarly, of course he probably doesn't have a problem with the ferry fares because financial security should literally be a no-brainer for him. Besides, doesn't he get his travel expenses paid for? The truth isn't that the fares are too high, it is that people aren't being reimbursed for them at the other end with fair wages and the general prospect of steady jobs. But that is a society wide thing... Gordon Campbell didn't necessary create the problem, but he sure hasn't done much to help it either.

[Deleted]

It's easy to dismiss election debate about ferries by those of us who "like" to ride ferries. I think it's really important to make BCF an issue, to support a large part of the economy and lifeblood of this province. If things keep going the way they are, ferry dependent communities and to a lesser extent Vancouver Island will be affected in a very negative way. The big city media love to have all the " issues" in nice tidy little packages that make it easy for them to sell their news but there is a world of difference between the city issues and the rest of the province. Why aren't things that are important to ferry dependent parts of the province as important as big city stuff?
I have some difficulty determining why the election campaign is so critical in deciding how to vote. It's all about marketing and manipulating. I don't want to be entertained, I want to be informed. What's promised is a far cry from what will happen in the future. Money is being thrown away by the truckload now but just wait till the election is over and we get the bill!
From all that I've been able to read, STV is another smoke and mirror act. Up until this election, I've been given the right to one vote. Sometimes I get the person or thing I've chosen and sometimes I don't. That's democracy and it's simple. STV is not simple. I think we need a change in the system but we need to be able to elect people who represent us .... not their party line first then us. If more people would vote, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation

[Neil]

Apr 28, 2009 18:55:12 GMT -8 @4roads said:

Election debate and a ferry forum doesn't go together.

Hmmh. Paul, I seem to recall some fairly assertive political statements from you, from time to time, on this here ferry forum. In any event, if it's a dedicated thread that people can easily avoid if they're not interested, I don't see the problem.

Apr 28, 2009 15:08:01 GMT -8 Balfour said:

. It is all nothing but mudslinging....

Now take a look at Carole James' platform. There are no original ideas presented that catch people's attention, all I've heard is "lets reverse everything Gordon Campbell has done."

We can disagree about who we want to vote for- no problem there- but I think it's really inaccurate to dismiss the NDP's platform as unsubstantial mudslinging. We shouldn't view any political party's program just through the prism of media coverage.

Go to the BC NDP's website. You'll find a 56 page platform with their beliefs and aims spelled out. Yes, a good deal of it is political rhetoric, but there are specific goals and policies there, and things are costed out at the end. What they oppose is balanced by what they propose. You may not like their focus, and you might not believe their numbers, but there is demonstrably far more than just reflexive naysaying, and I think it provides voters with an opportunity to make up their minds based on what the party is actually proposing to do.

Apr 28, 2009 15:22:50 GMT -8 Dane said:

Personally, I will vote Green. I don't believe in Carol James, ideologically (at the highest level, not necessarily case by case) I am a Liberal but they stole BC Rail and BC Ferries, and I don't disagree with the Greens.

Maybe a part of political maturity is resisting the urge to 'believe in' anyone. I've been let down enough by politicians to know that it's about looking at the policies and integrity of parties and individuals and making the choice that best reflects my values, taking into account that the people I vote for are no better or worse than myself, or society in general. Faith hardly enters into it.

[Neil]

Given Fenklebaum's apt observation about the 'organic' nature of conversation, it's only natural that at election time, political statements can morph into election debate, even though some might like to limit or direct the flow of discussion. Mill Bay has kindly initiated a thread for election/ferries issues, so, here we are.

[Nickfro]

Under the Liberals we have given away our logs, BC Rail and our ferry system.

Well, 2 of the 3 may be somewhat true and hurtful to people directly tied to them. The third, however, is the industry I work in and I can't imagine that industry improving with a change in leadership. History tells that.

[Northern Exploration]

Apr 28, 2009 21:44:44 GMT -8 Neil said:

Given Fenklebaum's apt observation about the 'organic' nature of conversation, it's only natural that at election time, political statements can morph into election debate, even though some might like to limit or direct the flow of discussion. Mill Bay has kindly initiated a thread for election/ferries issues, so, here we are.

This is the only time I will wade into this discussion (at least for the moment ). My comment to BC'ers is to be very careful voting in this election. BC right now is poised to weather the recession fairly unscathed compared to other regions. That is not the time to do the "typcial BC swing to the extreme because the electorate has an itch for change." I was a resident during one of those nonsensical swings from one extreme to another and then back. A lot of damage can be done quite quickly that could damage the economic basis of the province. Use the election to pressure for change where change needs to occur, but take a step back before making the final decision. Give thought to which party will leave the province better able to continue to weather the recession and come out stronger and better poised after. Don't simply be blinded by ideology.

When things are more calm and less volatile then go back to the normally scheduled flush whoever is in power just for change.

[Neil]

Apr 29, 2009 8:19:16 GMT -8 Northern Exploration said:

This is the only time I will wade into this discussion (at least for the moment ). My comment to BC'ers is to be very careful voting in this election. BC right now is poised to weather the recession fairly unscathed compared to other regions. That is not the time to do the "typcial BC swing to the extreme because the electorate has an itch for change." I was a resident during one of those nonsensical swings from one extreme to another and then back. A lot of damage can be done quite quickly that could damage the economic basis of the province. Use the election to pressure for change where change needs to occur, but take a step back before making the final decision. Give thought to which party will leave the province better able to continue to weather the recession and come out stronger and better poised after. Don't simply be blinded by ideology.

When things are more calm and less volatile then go back to the normally scheduled flush whoever is in power just for change.

Translation: Re-elect the Liberals.

There are no extremes in BC politics these days, despite what either side might try to tell you. Carole James' NDP is a fairly pragmatic party more in the vein of Gary Doer's Manitoba government, and business will not flee if they're elected. Likewise, Gordon Campbell is no George Bush, despite what many see as his failing to preserve important social programs.

Voters can vote for either party without fear that they're electing some 'extremist' option. A vote for the Greens is more problematic, since they have very little experience, and serve largely to split the progressive block and hand the election to the Liberals. Still, if people honestly feel they can't support either major party, they can take a chance on the unknown.

[Northern Exploration]

Apr 29, 2009 12:06:32 GMT -8 Neil said:

Apr 29, 2009 8:19:16 GMT -8 Northern Exploration said:

This is the only time I will wade into this discussion (at least for the moment ). My comment to BC'ers is to be very careful voting in this election. BC right now is poised to weather the recession fairly unscathed compared to other regions. That is not the time to do the "typcial BC swing to the extreme because the electorate has an itch for change." I was a resident during one of those nonsensical swings from one extreme to another and then back. A lot of damage can be done quite quickly that could damage the economic basis of the province. Use the election to pressure for change where change needs to occur, but take a step back before making the final decision. Give thought to which party will leave the province better able to continue to weather the recession and come out stronger and better poised after. Don't simply be blinded by ideology.

When things are more calm and less volatile then go back to the normally scheduled flush whoever is in power just for change.

Translation: Re-elect the Liberals.

I haven't paid much if any attention to the current NDP platform so can't really comment. And my friend who is a Liberal Party mucky muck will squeel with delite when I tell her something I said was interpreted as a vote Liberal stand. It will have to wait because she is part of that Liberal Garden of Eden that has set up tent in Vancouver for a few days.

I am pretty much all over the map when it comes to political parties. If you could take parts of them all and put them in a blender you would come up with a party that truely fits my views. I knew Premier Blakney from Saskatchewan (NDP) as well as Grant Devine and one of his Ministers Gordon Dirks (Conservative). Roy Romanov (NDP) did quite well also. I didn`t like Bob Rae as a premier so much even though he was basically like a leftist Liberal not NDP. But I much prefer him now as his views have become less ideological and tempered with maturity and some experience. Call me a Red Tory, a Blue Liberal, or whatever colour you want to assign with whatever label (avoid Pink please). I tend to vote for stability, growth, and keeping the keep pretty level, however there are times to shake things up.

I really should establish the Conundrum Party. Conundrum btw is one of my favour white wines. It is a mix of grapes the exact makeup isn`t broadcast. It is both easy drinking on its own, but pairs very nicely with a broad range of foods. Not cheap but not expensive. Sounds like "food" for thought for me. HMMMM.

[Low Light Mike]

Here's the incumbent MLA (on the left) for the Haida Gwaii area riding, campaigning on a moving platform.



(photo is from the QCI Observer newspaper. I wish Mr. Coons the best for the election)

[Neil]

Anybody catch the debate on Sunday? I agree with the pundits who gave the slight edge to Carole James. I thought she scored points in taking Campbell to task on crime, particularly over his cuts to the Crown prosecutor funding. Other than that, both leaders argued their case quite competently, and I doubt too many minds were changed.

The format of the debate seemed rushed, with the time allotted for answers not allowing much more than sound bites. Very little depth to the positions beyond what we've gathered from the campaign material. Combined with the minimalist studio setting, it felt like an obligatory exercise the TV honchos were getting over as quickly as possible so they could get back to the commercials.

What struck me was the poor performance of the Green Party's Jane Sterk. Nervous, tongue-tied, at times almost incoherent, and generally not coming out with more than vapid generalities, she definitely did not seem ready for prime time.

Oh yes, and not one mention of ferries, that I can recall.

[royalroadscaptain]

I've run into Gary Coons--the NDP Ferry critic--more than a few times during my trips up and down the coast. I can't judge him for what he might do (with the transport portfolio, or for the ferries) were his party elected to power, but I can say that everywhere I've seen him he was there to listen to people. And he was there. I can't say that for Falcon...

[Scott]

Congratulations to Garry Coons for winning his riding. Interesting that virtually every BC Ferry dependant riding went NDP... except for the Comox Valley and Saanich/Gulf Islands, both which are a bit too close to call still.

Also Parksville/Qualicum went Liberal, which is fairly predictable, and Oak Bay/Gordon Head looks like it's going Liberal, which is also fairly predictable.

[Low Light Mike]

There is a new BC Minister of Transportation, the portfolio that includes BC Ferries.

Out is Cadillac Falcon and in is Bond, Shirley Bond.

Here's her bio:

Shirley Bond was re-elected to a third term as MLA for Prince George-Valemount on May 12, 2009.

Minister Bond previously served as Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy. She also served on the Government Caucus Committee on Social Development, the Cabinet Committee on Agenda Development, Treasury Board and chairs the Cabinet Committee on New Relationship Coordination.

Minister Bond was elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 to represent the riding of Prince George-Mount Robson. She has also previously served as Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of Health Services.

Minister Bond has an arts and science diploma from the College of New Caledonia and, up until becoming MLA, was working on a bachelor of arts degree in political science at the University of Northern BC.

[Mill Bay]

Jun 10, 2009 21:33:58 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

There is a new BC Minister of Transportation, the portfolio that includes BC Ferries.

Out is Cadillac Falcon and in is Bond, Shirley Bond.

Here's her bio:

Shirley Bond was re-elected to a third term as MLA for Prince George-Valemount on May 12, 2009.

Minister Bond previously served as Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy. She also served on the Government Caucus Committee on Social Development, the Cabinet Committee on Agenda Development, Treasury Board and chairs the Cabinet Committee on New Relationship Coordination.

Minister Bond was elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 to represent the riding of Prince George-Mount Robson. She has also previously served as Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of Health Services.

Minister Bond has an arts and science diploma from the College of New Caledonia and, up until becoming MLA, was working on a bachelor of arts degree in political science at the University of Northern BC.

Unbelievable!! Does she actually know anything about transportation?

[Political Incorrectness]

Jun 10, 2009 21:43:14 GMT -8 Mill Bay said:

Jun 10, 2009 21:33:58 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

There is a new BC Minister of Transportation, the portfolio that includes BC Ferries.

Out is Cadillac Falcon and in is Bond, Shirley Bond.

Here's her bio:

Unbelievable!! Does she actually know anything about transportation?

Hopefully she does not have the brain of the Cadillac without GPS.

[Scott]

Oh wow, I have more education than her - so does probably a quarter of this forum! So technically, we may never work in BC Ferries management, but we do have a hope of becoming Transportation Minister!

[WettCoast]

We all should expect to hear soon that health care under Mr. Falcon is now reaching a whole new level of service. Gone will be the bad old Volkswagen days.

I can't wait.

On the other hand Ms Bond, being from the North, may change the focus at the Transportation Ministry to one that is finally able to see that there is a BC beyond the Lower Mainland. That would be refreshing.

[Low Light Mike]

Jun 11, 2009 20:27:21 GMT -8 @4roads said:

Shirley Bond should do good in Transportation, but her Ministry is not charged with BC Ferries. BC Ferries is not on the list of her responsibilities.

Was doing a bit of research for a gummint MLA friend (not Falcon)
and was going through gummint agency responsibilities. BC Ferries ain't there.

So were Mr. Falcon's famous Volkswagen-Cadillac and "boo hoo" comments from a time when he wasn't responsible for BC Ferries? ie. Was he involved in commenting just because his portfolio of Transportation was the closest-thing to something responsible for BC Ferries? Or was he actually responsible?

I'm curious if there actually officially was a minister responsible for BC Ferries in the past 4 years, or not.