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Post by Ferryman on May 16, 2006 21:16:37 GMT -8
The Saltair CVRD director wants to help the Kuper Islanders with paying their Ferry fares, as the residents of the Island, can't really afford to use the Ferry that take them to Chemainus. Ferry fares have been rising, along with fuel surcharges make it even more difficult for residents to afford the fares.
What's everyone's view on this? Here's a few letters to the editor of the newspaper I got this from...
Editor,
Re: Saltair CVRD Director Mel Dorey helping Kuper Island residents with ferry rate subsidies (May 2 edition)
I drive a truck for a living between Vancouver Island and the Mainland. It costs me $702.50 round trip every day. Ask me how I feel about ferry rates! My ferry rates are subsidizing other routes (route 20 Kuper Island) because people have chosen to live on an island with no sustainable economy. I’d also like someone to help me live on Icarus Drive in North Nanaimo. If you can’t afford to live there...MOVE.
The Kuper Island run is already losing money annually to the tune of $244,000 in 2004 and $568,000 in 2005. To quote Mr. Dorey, “I’m hopeful we can get some federal funds to subsidize it.” I think you already do!
Mr. Dorey claims he wants to help the people on Kuper Island because they rely on the ferry as basic transportation. Well, I rely on my pick-up as basic transportation and nobody is helping me with my costs!
Chris Sunnus,
Ladysmith
Kuper route already gets heavy subsidy
Editor,
The subsidization of BC Ferries has been fraught with controversy for decades. Cross-subsidization was common practice with money funnelled from major routes to ensure the financial viability of smaller ones. With this system being phased out over the next few years the province is required to pay $106 million in “service fees” each year. Most of that money ($90 million) goes towards keeping the smaller routes operating without taking from major routes. But the subsidies don’t stop there: the federal government kicks in approximately $20 million annually under the Coastal Ferry Subsidy Agreement.
Earlier this month, CVRD Director Mel Dorey announced his intention to approach the federal government for funds to subsidize fares on the Kuper Island ferry. The Kuper Island route is already receiving an annual federal subsidy of $668,000 (2005). Add that to provincial dollars and the Kuper Island route alone received over $3 million in government subsidies. When does the call for subsidies end? Likely not anytime soon with BC Ferries focusing more on user-pay systems. Over the next few years BC Ferries will force the smaller routes to bear their own financial burdens and the funds will come from those who use the service, or subsidized from the pockets of taxpayers, if the pattern continues. There are far better uses of tax dollars than subsidizing ferry rates.
Aimee Greenaway
Ladysmith
-Ladysmith Chronicle Newspaper
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Post by Mike C on May 17, 2006 17:59:10 GMT -8
As you know, there is no toll on Kuper, the only thing you pay, is the large fee to return. I travelled to Thetis, foot passenger, and as I recall, it wasn't cheap.
I remember a way back, travelling with my family and trailer, with one fuel surcharge, costing us around $150. Now, you pay 3 surcharges, plus a port-of-nanaimo fee, plus the rapidly rising regular fare. And for Kuper Islanders, that's a fortune, just multiplying that $150 by three, plus the $1.20-a-litre gas price, Gulf Islanders are not being able to afford the price, and being forced off the island.
One of my life's dreams was to live on Pender Island, and now, I might not be able to afford it.
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Post by Retrovision on May 17, 2006 18:37:20 GMT -8
Kuper is the Reservation, right? If so, this might have something to do with the motivation/reasoning.
...The question about this being a good idea or not then becomes "a whole other can of worms," so to speak.
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Post by Mike C on May 17, 2006 18:46:03 GMT -8
Kuper is the Reservation, right? If so, this might have something to do with the motivation/reasoning. It is indeed. Expect protest. |
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Post by Scott on May 17, 2006 21:25:32 GMT -8
The fact is, most of them are well below the poverty level on Kuper, and they don't really have a choice of where they can live.. without leaving the reservation.
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Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on May 17, 2006 22:11:41 GMT -8
Thetis & Kuper Islanders pay less for their ferry ($22.25 car and driver, peak) for a 25-30 minute trip than Bowen Islanders do ($28.25 car and driver, peak) for a 20 minute trip. Don't know how BC Ferries arrives at that fare structure, but you could say Thetis and Kuper is getting a bit of a 'break'. Probably a remnant of the very low old Dept. of Highways fares.
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Post by Retrovision on May 17, 2006 23:03:30 GMT -8
Bowen Island is a ' bedroom Community' of the third largest city in Canada, Vancouver... of course it's going to be more expensive.  |
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Post by Mike C on May 18, 2006 10:41:04 GMT -8
They should just be happy that they're getting any ferry service at all.
How much did the Ministry for Highways ferry cost, and what ferry was it?
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on May 18, 2006 11:42:21 GMT -8
In 1971, for instance, the fare to Thetis or Kuper was $1.60 for car, 40 cents passenger, return. Vessel was Ethel Hunter (six cars).
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Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on May 18, 2006 14:08:00 GMT -8
They should have a reduced fare or something to Kuper Island. Nothing is there, the public arent allowed on Kuper so if it's just a resident island and just a reservation.
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Post by kylefossett on May 18, 2006 15:19:44 GMT -8
In 1971, for instance, the fare to Thetis or Kuper was $1.60 for car, 40 cents passenger, return. Vessel was Ethel Hunter (six cars). you can't really use a fare from 1971 as an example |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on May 18, 2006 16:06:47 GMT -8
That fare quote wasn't really an example of anything, or to make a point; it was just in answer to QB Teen's question.
A different fare structure for native land islands could open up some awkward questions, as tsawwassenterminal suggested. Poverty is so common on our reserve lands, though, that the issue should be looked at, given that the ferry is pretty much the only way off. We've taken pretty much all their land, and left them little bits like Kuper; we can't very well hold them captive because they can't afford to travel.
I don't know. Difficult question.
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Post by Retrovision on May 18, 2006 18:46:44 GMT -8
Actually I meant more that asking the question was 'another can of worms'. I would agree with fares being lowered if it was part of a larger strategy by the feds to raise the average quality of life on Reservations in Canada, otherwise it's just window-dressing-politics. But the fact that it's not a governmental organization planning such an initiative actually goves me a little more hope for humanity.
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Post by Mike C on May 20, 2006 9:23:26 GMT -8
As I read the posts, Chris De Burgh's "Don't Pay The Ferryman" comes to mind.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 9, 2006 20:31:21 GMT -8
Jun 06 2006
Kuper Island fighter of ferry fares Steve Sxwithul’txw is touting a conversation in the legislature earlier this month as a positive step for the water-locked community.
On May 9, NDP North Island MLA and ferries and ports critic Gary Coons questioned Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon as to why there has been no softening of fare impacts on ferry-dependent communities such as Kuper Island.
Falcon’s immediate response was he believed the impact to be modest on the minor routes, however he did say the ministry would be willing to meet with the community to examine alternatives to the current situation.
“Maybe there are other ways of delivering better service at a lower cost to those folks,” Falcon said. “We will always be willing to engage in those discussions with communities like that to see whether that can, in fact, be achieved to mutual benefit.”
Sxwithul’txw, who has been championing the lowering of fares to his community’s home for the past few years, believes it will take a visit from the minister to Kuper Island to spark change.
“I believe when Ferry Commissioner Martin Crilly came and saw the island firsthand and spoke with the people, it changed his mind, and now he is an ally of the people,” Sxwithul’txw said. “I’d encourage Minister Falcon to do the same and see if his perspective isn’t changed.”
With only 10 per cent of the Island’s 470 Penelakut band members employed, increases in ferry fares, coupled with fuel surcharge increases, is slowly taking food money away from residents, Sxwithul’txw said.
“We know the ferry route is heavily subsidized, and we’re not looking for a free ride,” he said. “But it’s been suggested on editorial pages that if we can’t afford to live on Kuper, we should move. That’s simply not feasible.
“This is our home, and the Chemainus dock is our home. We aren’t going anywhere.”
Sxwithul’txw said there is little he feels can be done before 2008 when the current BC Ferries legislation comes to an end, but until then he wants to keep his peoples’ plight in the news.
“If we could meet with Minister Falcon and have him come for a visit, maybe we’d see some things happen,” he said.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 17, 2006 20:09:14 GMT -8
From the 1970 BC Legislature minutes, NDP opposition member Robert Strachan speaking:
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......In an attempt to help overcome part of the problem in my own constituency, on Kuper Island, where there has been an Indian residential school for many years operated by the Catholic Church, a fine school, they have been integrating with the normal school population. This requires them to go by ferry from Kuper Island to Chemainus. There are still two grades left on Kuper Island. The ferry is a very small ferry and in the winter time there isn't enough space to give all the children coverage. They want to completely integrate this year. We should require another 35 children to go from Kuper Island to Chemainus. Before this can be possible there must be a larger ferry established on the run between Chemainus, Kuper Island, and Thetis Island. If we mean what we say about integration and attacking this problem, then the Department of Highways must provide this adequate ferry service from Kuper Island to Chemainus, not only because of the children, but because of the schedule itself. The children who do go to Chemainus School, because of the timing of the last ferry to Kuper Island, are unable to participate in the community endeavours and in the school endeavours because they have to get back to the Island on a ferry that leaves too early for such participation.
But not only that, there is no landing for automobiles on Kuper Island, and it's almost completely Indian Reserve, with the result that the Indians that live on Kuper Island have to leave their automobiles in Chemainus. One of the forest companies has a piece of open property there that, until this week, the Indians were using to park their cars on while they were home on Kuper Island, and the word they got this week was that they will be no longer able to use that particular piece of property. I have contacted the forest company involved, and the manager promised me he would have discussions with the Indians to see if something could be worked out so they can continue, at least temporarily, to use this property. But if we want to have them integrated, then we must see that they get the same facilities as every other group that live on an island. Right next door is Thetis Island and they have full facilities, full ferry facilities for automobiles, and this is simply a must.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on Jun 17, 2006 21:43:06 GMT -8
Wow. 1970 and they still had no proper ferry service. How do we expect people to be able to attain self sufficiency when they can't even get around?
And now, in 2006, 10% employment. That's shocking, and tragic.
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Post by Mike C on Jun 19, 2006 12:58:04 GMT -8
Sounds like they want the Tachek and they want it now...  Looks like there'll be an empty space in which it docks throughout the year unless the Ministry comes up with some strange reason not to... |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,311
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Post by Neil on Jun 19, 2006 15:30:45 GMT -8
Sounds like they want the Tachek and they want it now... Looks like there'll be an empty space in which it docks throughout the year unless the Ministry comes up with some strange reason not to... Excuse me?? |
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Post by Mike C on Jun 19, 2006 17:46:33 GMT -8
HornbyGuy: They want a larger ferry. What they want is BCF's Tachek which can be spotted on Denman-Hornby throughout the winter, and parked at Blubber Bay in the summer. If you still have no idea what I am talking about, refer to Curtis' pics and hit Tour Tachek.
The Ministry will likely come up with a reason not to give them a Quadra class vessel, and many reasons why they should stick with a K. In other words, the Ministry hates change.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 19, 2006 17:50:08 GMT -8
From the 1970 BC Legislature minutes, NDP opposition member Robert Strachan speaking: ======================================= Sounds like they want the Tachek and they want it now... Someone didn't fully read the post....... That was all said a few years before the K-Class were even around. Meaning, something smaller than the Klitsa was on that route at the time..... |
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Looks like there'll be an empty space in which it docks throughout the year unless the Ministry comes up with some strange reason not to...