The company that was originally behind the Kootenay Lake ferry project is denying it owes millions for work on the vessel, arguing no contract existed.
In a response filed Feb. 6 in B.C. Supreme Court, Western Pacific Marine (WPM) rejects key allegations from Eco HeavyDuty Repairs Ltd., which is suing for more than $6.4 million.
Eco HeavyDuty Repairs filed its lawsuit in December 2025, claiming it was not fully paid for labour and materials supplied to the ferry project in Nelson.
The company alleges it entered into a formal cost-plus contract with WPM in January 2024 and submitted 86 invoices through September 2025, many of which were approved but not paid in full.
WPM denies those claims in its response, stating there was no written or oral agreement between the two companies.
It also disputes claims that invoices were submitted or approved and denies making partial payments outlined in Eco HeavyDuty’s lawsuit, arguing it was not obligated to pay any amount.
“The Defendant pleads that it was not obliged to make, nor did they make, any payments to the Plaintiff, as alleged or at all, because the Plaintiff and the Defendant had no contract with each other, as alleged or at all,” reads WPM’s response.
In the alternative, WPM said even if a contract did exist, it did not breach it and that Eco HeavyDuty Repairs did not suffer any losses.
WPM is asking the court to dismiss the claim and award costs in its favour. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
This lawsuit is one of two legal actions involving the ferry project. A second lawsuit was filed in April by Albion Marine Solutions, also alleging unpaid work related to the same vessel, totalling more than $500,000.
The project has faced ongoing challenges. In 2025, the provincial government exercised its step-in rights to take control, citing issues with project delivery.
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