Here is the reply I received from the Transport Minister.
Reference: 126194
Re: Ferry Construction
Thank you for your recent e-mail expressing your concerns about BC Ferries'
selection of a company to construct two new Super C--class ferries.
I know our province has a proud shipbuilding industry and although a British
Columbia firm did not make the shortlist for this vessel construction
program, there will be many opportunities for them in the future. Over the
next 15 years BC Ferries needs to replace 22 vessels. They expect many of
these medium and small vessels will be built in British Columbia or
elsewhere in Canada.
BC Ferries already does a great deal of work with the Washington Marine
Group, British Columbia's main shipbuilder, and that is expected to
continue. In fact, BC Ferries has done more than $60 million worth of
business with them over the past two years and expects to do the same in the
coming two years.
With respect to the competition for new Super C--class vessels, for the last
twelve months BC Ferries conducted an international tendering process. No
parties were excluded from this process and Canadian shipyards, including
American owned Washington Marine Group of North Vancouver, were invited to
participate. As you are aware no Canadian shipyards made the shortlist and
there is a strong likelihood these large vessels will be built in Europe.
No final decision has been made at this time but BC Ferries is expected to
announce the successful proponent and a construction timetable early this
fall.
As a government, we made a commitment to fair and open tendering across
government to ensure taxpayers receive value for money. As a now
independent company, BC Ferries also embraces that belief and makes its
capital decisions based on sound financial and business practices. BC
Ferries' goal is to ensure the best value for people who pay to ride our
ferries. Unnecessary additional costs would be passed along to ferry users
in the form of higher fares - something the corporation is working hard to
avoid.
Thanks again for taking the time to write.
Best regards,
Kevin Falcon
Minister
