Straight Talk on Ferries

~ by Claire Trevena -

The following is an excerpt from our MLA’s recent response speech in the Legislative Assembly to the new budget announced by our ‘Liberal’ provincial government.

“…The other keystone for my constituency is ferries. I often talk about ferries because they are our highways. They are our highways that have been ignored and which have been turned into the most egregious example of user pay that I think anyone has come across. We have seen fares multiply year upon year upon year, forcing families to leave their homes of generations.
When I mentioned ferries in my response to the throne speech, the Minister of Citizens’ Services said, and I paraphrase, that people should live close to where they work. That was a slap in the face for thousands of people — my constituents and others who live on the islands, Madam Speaker. He doesn’t see from his cabinet perch that in our island communities they are working communities. This is where people live and work. We are a coastal province. Tens of thousands of people live and work in communities which are served by ferries. His attitude shows unmitigated arrogance.
Ferries. What do we have for ferries? Well, actually we lose money for ferries here. We lose $10 million. What a surprise. Which in terms of this government, if the Minister of Citizens’ Services is reflecting his cabinet opinion, means fares will go up again — because this is that system of user pay we have delivered for ferries — yet again. How many businesses in my constituency will be hit by this? How many families will leave? How can the government justify removing a highway from the people who use it?…”

Editor’s Note:  Claire’s entire response can be seen through the following link:   (Scroll down to section 1840)

http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/39th5th/H30220y.htm

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