Backlash mounts over BC Ferries’ deal with Chinese shipyard

Opposition leaders are continuing to criticize BC Ferries’ decision to build four new major vessels at a shipyard in China.

BC Ferries announced the procurement deal yesterday, pegging the move as a major milestone in its plan to modernize the company’s aging fleet of vessels.

CEO Nicholas Jimenez says the decision to go overseas was about getting “the best deal for British Columbians and getting the best deal for BC Ferries.”

The B.C. Conservatives say the NDP government should step in and cancel the deal with Chinese state-owned shipbuilders, China Merchants Industry (CMI) Weihai.

B.C. Conservative MLA criticizes David Eby

Peter Milobar, the opposition finance critic, argues that the deal contradicts Premier David Eby’s “Buy BC” initiative, which encourages supporting local businesses and job creation.

“He [Eby] decreed for months now that we need to be buying B.C. and buying Canadian,” Milobar said in an interview with 1130 NewsRadio.

“The premier, I think, has a lot to answer for. His words, once again, are not matching his actions,” Milobar added.

The Conservative MLA from Kamloops also emphasized that the province needs to take a more active role in such significant decisions.

“[The government] cannot hide behind [this], saying BC Ferries is independent. BC Ferries’ only shareholder is the province of British Columbia,” Milobar said.

While the former crown corporation is now independently managed, it is publicly owned.

NDP Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth concerned, too

The deal has drawn criticism not just for its geopolitical implications, with the Chinese government accused of human rights violations and with concerns around national security –but also for what some view as a missed opportunity to invest in domestic jobs and shipbuilding.

In a statement on June 10, the B.C. Conservatives accused Eby of “abandoning Canadian workers”.

Milobar says that BC Ferries can’t just do “whatever they want.”

“[There] needs to be more thought put into this, and ultimately, there also needs to be more direction from the Premier and the government as to what to do for BC Ferries.”

NDP Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth says he has major concerns over the project and raised those concerns with BC Ferries directly, given the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and China.

Farnworth says he’s worried about procuring services from “any country that is actively harming Canada’s economy” with tariffs and protectionism.

BC Ferries says the four new major vessels are expected to enter service between 2029 and 2031. They noted that no bids were received from local or Canadian shipyards for the project.