Dots that may connect
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…
BC Ferries
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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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:…
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…