When BC Ferries added a newly built ferry to its fleet in the 20th century, the vessel was constructed in BC shipyards. During the mid-nineties, two Spirit Class ships, currently the company’s finest and most efficient, were built in lower mainland and…
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In-Sights: John’s still aghast
Almost one year ago, this piece was submitted as a comment to another article. It still makes as much sense as it did last December so I feature it at the top.An open letter to Christy ClarkDear Ms. Clark,PLEASE, puhleese get off your LNG horse, or at …
Continue readingIn-Sights: Liberal return of 0.005% (or less) on $17 million (or more)
In April 2015, MLA Clair Trevena spoke in the Legislature during estimates of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure: We had a refit which began just five years ago and lasted for two years, a refit of the Queen of Chilliwack. The minister, I’m sure, is well aware of the
Continue readingNorthern Insight / Perceptivity: No one said fares should be fair
Tickets for once a week travel on the 57-year-old 49-car ferry North Island Princess, between Powell River and Texada Island, for a car, driver and passenger, cost $1,634.49 a year, including frequent use discounts and current fuel rebate. There is no land-based alternative for the 35 minute, 5.1 mile crossing.
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Stephen Hume: A Tale of Two Coasts
Richard Hughes- Political Blogger We are often referred to as the ‘Left Coast’ due the liberal left tendencies of many west coasters. The way the Ottawa’s largesse is doled out, we could just as easily be known as the ‘Left Out Coast.’ Age old arguments of the West getting the
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Vancouver Island Man’s Rant Against BC Ferries Goes Viral
This has been labelled as a rant but it seems to me that it is just a straightforward, well reasoned analysis of the problems at BC Ferries. This story was carried in the VanCity Buzz. Vancouver Island resident Sean Smith’s rant against BC Ferries’ cruise ship-like operations has gone
Continue readingNorthern Insight / Perceptivity: If the numbers are not known, invent them
Reviewing BC Ferries financial statements this week, I was reminded of a radio interview I heard early in the tenure of the current BC Ferries CEO. That was shortly after he banked a $200,000 bonus, provided to him by the ferry corporation because he was not going to collect bonuses
Continue readingNorthern Insight / Perceptivity: Fiscal unfairness, a BC Liberal tradition
Between Powell River and Texada Island, ferry service is by the oldest vessel in BC Ferries’ fleet, the 57-year-old MV North Island Princess, a vessel with capacity to carry 49 vehicles and 150 passengers. A sailing takes 35 minutes each way and there is no alternative means of surface transport.
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Another BC Liberal Lie Gets Shattered – In Record Time
One of the greatest whoppers the British Columbia Liberals have told is that B.C. Ferries is an independent operator. This has been the story since the Liberal government “privatized” the ferry service – handing the ships, terminals and other infrastructure to a private, shell company – while the government remained
Continue readingNorthern Insight / Perceptivity: Don’t follow the law, change the law
British Columbia’s Auditor General reported to the BC Legislature and there is interesting commentary throughout. Carol Bellringer qualified her opinion as to the fairness of the province’s financial statements and professional accountants regard that as not-good. “This year, our audit opinion on the Summary Financial Statements contains twoqualifications, or areas
Continue readingLeft Over: A Bridge Too Close?
Gabriola Island Bridge project prompts new opposition from residents Bridge-Free Salish Sea group plans to mount a petition campaign to gauge concerns over proposed bridge CBC News Posted: Oct 29, 2014 11:06 AM PT Last Updated: Oct 29, 2014 11:07 AM PT I think that all of us who
Continue readingNorthern Insight / Perceptivity: Reporters as stenographers
Two years ago, the corporate media published headlines about ferry subsidies. This report, which came during fiscal year 2013, was enough to stir the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation into action. They warned that subsidies to business might have to be cut if government wasted more money on citizens. CTF did not
Continue readingNorthern Insight / Perceptivity: Nature has inviolate principles, Christy Clark does not
A comment left by Lew on an earlier article deserves to be featured. Here is Christy Clark, the premier of our province, speaking as a radio show host just before leaving to run for leadership of the BC Liberals: “Ferry fares go up on Friday. It will be the eighth
Continue readingNorthern Insight: The states of state affairs
Comparing remuneration of senior public officials in Washington State to BC counterparts can leave one astounded. The most obvious examples are at the publicly owned investment management agencies and the ferry operations. Despite paying substantially less to executives, both Washington State Investment Board and Washington State Ferries outperformed equivalents north
Continue readingNorthern Insight: BC Ferries still owed $25 million 2nd mortgage
Under leadership of CEO David Hahn and Board Chairs Elizabeth Harrison and Don Hay, in a deal negotiated before completion of construction, BC Ferries lent a real estate developer almost $25 million for The Atrium, a Victoria commercial development. The loan was secured by a second mortgage, even though, when
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Ferries’ future foretold
In a month or three, BC Ferries will publish statements of its financial position and information about remuneration earned by the top executives. I had someone look into a crystal ball and we’ve determined that in 2014, as in all years prior, the ferry execs achieved key financial targets, improved
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Maroc’s Public Letter to John Horgan Probably The New Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
Don Maroc-Cowichan Conversations Contributor It looks like the power brokers have decided that you are the NDP’s last hope for revival. Of course no one is saying anything like that John, but that’s what’s being bantered back and forth out here among what was once the NDP backbone. Don’t be
Continue readingNorthern Insight: War on coastal communities
Christy Clark’s Liberals seem dedicated to punishing residents of BC coastal communities, probably because all ferry dependent communities failed to return Liberal candidates in the last election. A few days ago, BC Ferries announced: “Due to current world fuel market conditions that influence the prices that BC Ferries must pay
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Lies, damn lies and statistics
In late 2012, BC Ferries published a 14-page self-promotion titled Fuel Strategies. It discussed alleged savings in fuel consumption achieved by BC Ferries’ brilliant managers. A centrepiece was this chart: Looks pretty good. Maybe worth another bonus or two. Except, here is the same information portrayed differently. Not quite as
Continue readingNorthern Insight: An example of coastal ferry fares, 5x inflation
One of my readers lives modestly on Texada Island and comes to the city occasionally for shopping and medical treatments and to visit family and friends. He retired on this northern Gulf Island after working there in the rock quarries and then as a gyppo logger. My correspondent feels the
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