A request from the B.C. Inland Ferry Coalition to meet with the province drew mixed reactions from Regional District of Central Kootenay directors, who feel ongoing ferry concerns and a lack of response from Victoria has continued to fuel frustration in rural communities.
In a letter dated April 7, the coalition asked Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth for an in-person meeting and for inland ferries to be formally recognized in law as essential transportation links.
The coalition is made up of representatives from communities across the province that rely on 14 inland ferry routes, including groups connected to the Glade and Harrop ferries and several RDCK electoral areas.
“The agenda for the meeting is simple: to discuss how the Province can ensure that inland ferries are recognized in law as essential transportation links necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of British Columbians,” the coalition wrote.
The issue came before the RDCK board Thursday, where directors voiced both support for improving long-term ferry reliability and concern about how the advocacy effort is being handled.
Board chair and Electoral Area D Director Aimee Watson pointed to limited provincial engagement despite repeated advocacy attempts.
“We’ve sent, I believe, upwards of five letters to the ministries and received one response that was less than adequate,” said Watson.
For Area I director Andy Davidoff, the stakes are immediate and deeply felt in his electoral area.
“When you meet with your community in a packed hall on New Year’s Eve, and your only link to everything is in jeopardy, that’s what we experienced in Glade,” said Davidoff.
“We have been trying very hard to get meetings, to talk to people. We’re just exhausted trying to get some attention and trying to get a meeting.”
Electoral Area A director Gary Jackman questioned whether the coalition’s focus on legislative change is too narrow.
“This is extremely, extremely important to us, but this long-term legislative solution, I cannot see it coming in advance of all the issues spinning around the provincial agenda,” he said. “This is just one optimistic hope. We still have work to do.”
Jackman also raised concerns about whether the coalition is effectively representing all ferry-dependent communities.
“I think we need to have a better understanding within the society that they’re trying to represent 14 ferries across the entire province, and that maybe their voices are a little bit too limited,” he said. “Because talking to the minister about one thing and presuming that’s the solution is simplistic.”
Watson also questioned how the RDCK was included in the coalition’s correspondence and whether there had been enough consultation.
“When they include us as a signatory, we actually need to somehow document that we’ve approved that,” she said. “Just naming us in the document is not necessarily the best process.”
Despite differing views on strategy, directors agreed the situation remains urgent.
“We’ve done a lot to try and get the attention. I guess we just don’t stop,” Watson said. “Advocacy is a critical piece. So we can continue to follow up with Farnworth and our MLAs to address this.”
Davidoff said the level of frustration has led to discussion in some communities about more drastic measures.
“I was asked, what if we blocked the highway for one day at the Glade Esso to see if the minister might get some attention about our issues?” he said.
“Obviously I said I don’t recommend doing that as it’s an illegal action, but I’ll tell you … it would work.”
In the end, the board approved a motion to reach out to the Harrop-Procter Ferry Committee Society to clarify expectations around communication and collaboration, while continuing its advocacy efforts with the province.
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