Premier David Eby has spoken with BC Ferries senior management in the wake of a chaotic travel weekend which saw completely full boats and long delays for many passengers.

Speaking to media outside the B.C. legislature Friday (July 28) afternoon, Eby said he had two main messages for management during the call earlier in the day: They must do everything they can to ensure affordable and reliable access to ferries, and they have the government害羞草研究所檚 full support to make it happen.

害羞草研究所淲hat we are seeing currently is not acceptable, they understand that, and they will make the changes to address it,害羞草研究所� said Eby, while also acknowledging the Crown corporation is facing serious challenges such as skilled labour shortages and supply chain delays on essential spare parts.

害羞草研究所淭hey will have the government害羞草研究所檚 support to do that work, to be innovative to find ways to deliver.害羞草研究所�

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When faced with questions about whether there was a need for changes in senior management at BC Ferries, and at what point that decision should be made, Eby highlighted that current leadership is fairly new, but if it cannot rise to meet challenges 害羞草研究所渙bviously we will take the necessary steps,害羞草研究所� without providing a time frame.

害羞草研究所漈he metric for all British Columbians is pretty straightforward when it comes to ferries,害羞草研究所� Eby said. 害羞草研究所淲hen you are baking on the tarmac with your kids in the back seat and can害羞草研究所檛 get on the ferry, that is not an acceptable situation. When your goods can害羞草研究所檛 get to your store because there is no room on the ferry, that is not an acceptable situation. When you are not able to get the information you need from the online systems, that害羞草研究所檚 not an acceptable situation.害羞草研究所�

But despite his recognition of recent passenger complaints about the service, Eby also defended BC Ferries害羞草研究所� response to challenges, noting more money from the government won害羞草研究所檛 solve problems like a shortage of skilled mechanics, replacement parts which arrive defective from overseas, and the lead-time to procure brand new vessels.

He said there is a need to get through the remainder of the peak summer travel season and allow BC Ferries to 害羞草研究所渂uild capacity害羞草研究所� during the slower season, with government checking in regularly to monitor progress on that front. In the short term, his hope is the return of the Coastal Celebration to sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen Friday will help alleviate some of the congestion issues.

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