The New Democratic Party announced October 5 that should the party form the next federal government, BC Ferries would be eligible for federal funding.
But critics are saying that announcement may not make much of a ripple, as BC Ferries is already eligible for infrastructure funding from Ottawa.
During a news conference, Murray Rankin, the incumbent in the Victoria riding, said Prime Minister Stephen Harper had failed this province and that ferry users had been neglected by Ottawa.
“The Harper Conservatives have prevented BC Ferries’ access to basic infrastructure funding that would help reduce ferry costs for B.C.,” he said.
“We will make ferry infrastructure, including terminals and fleets, an eligible category for federal funding.”
Rankin said a portion of the $14 billion New Canada Building Fund could be accessed by BC Ferries for capital projects.
That fund, launched in 2014, offers money over the next 10 years for national ($4 billion), regional ($9 billion) and local infrastructure projects.
BC Ferries being eligible to apply, however, is nothing new.
A BC Ferries spokesperson said the corporation has been told by Infrastructure Canada that it is eligible to apply for funding, and it has done just that.
The corporation said it applied this year for funding under the New Building Canada Fund for the Langdale ferry terminal and to build a new vessel to replace the 42-year old MV Nimpkish, which provides service to remote communities in the mid-coast of B.C.
When told BC Ferries has been informed it is eligible and has made applications, Rankin said confusion remains over the fund.
“Despite Mr. Harper rolling out announcements from Moose Jaw [Saskatchewan] to Marmora [Ontario], we haven’t seen an announcement anywhere about BC Ferries getting a red cent,” he said.
“This program has been full of confusion, delay and lack of transparency.
“We want to cut through all of that and make absolutely abundantly clear these funds will be available.”
Rankin was joined for the announcement by Randall Garrison, the MP representing Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, and Alicia Cormier, the NDP candidate in Saanich-Gulf Islands.
In a statement, Garrison said the ferry system is the backbone of the Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast.
“They are essential infrastructure, just like any road, bridge or transit system in the rest of Canada,” he said.
Rankin said if BC Ferries does get access to “new money” through the New Building Canada Fund, it will be good news for the Island, Gulf Islands and coastal communities, as it should mean lower fares.
He said BC Ferries remains a hot issue in ridings like Saanich-Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island North-Comox-Powell River.
“Communities are hurting on the Gulf Islands,” he said.
BC Ferries noted it has received federal funding to the tune of $40 million through a series of infrastructure programs, and managed to get Ottawa to waive $119 million in duties for new vessels from Germany in 2010.
Last year, it received a federal operating subsidy of about $28 million, the corporation said.
