The new president and chief executive of BC Ferry Services Inc. told local politicians Monday that the Skidegate-Prince Rupert route is a "unique" part of the ferry system, Alex Rinfret writes, and that he doesn't expect service levels here to be reduced.
However, David Hahn said that while service levels are guaranteed for the next five years, service after that will depend on how much money the provincial government is willing to spend. Islanders should lobby government on this issue, he advised at a breakfast meeting aboard the Queen of Prince Rupert, docked at Skidegate Landing.
"At the end of the day, the government will decide how much they want to subsidize this," Mr. Hahn said. "That's a choice government needs to make."
At the moment, government is subsidizing ferry service to the islands to the tune of almost $11-million a year - $8.1-million for the Skidegate-Rupert route and $2.6-million for the Kwuna route connecting Graham and Moresby Islands.
But the future bill will be much higher, because a huge injection of cash will soon be required to replace the aging Queen of Prince Rupert and Queen of the North. The vessels, built in 1966 and 1968, must be replaced by 2010.
What will replace them is the big question. The government has asked BC Ferry Services to hand in a "northern strategy" by April 1 next year, which will outline several options for how to serve the north and mid-coast ferry routes.
Replacement vessels will cost approximately $60-million each. If the government decides it wants them, they must be ordered within the next few years if they are to be ready in 2010, said chief financial officer Rob Clarke.
"We better know what we're doing in three and a half years," Mr. Clarke said. "This is the number one issue."
Vice-president of inter-island and northern service Trafford Taylor agreed, saying that figuring out the future of the northern routes is "probably the highest priority of the corporation."
All the executives were confident that government would maintain existing service levels between the Charlottes and the mainland, although one local politician was more doubtful.
The subsidy is "almost $11-million for the islands," said Port Clements mayor Dale Lore. "That scares me when it's a for-profit company now. We'd be crazy not to be a little paranoid... We're worried about the prices going up and the sailings going to once a week."
Captain Taylor said he would be "absolutely horrified" if the government reduced the subsidy after this five-year contract and forced lower service levels here, given that the Charlottes are a tourist destination and a "national treasure".
"The government would fall on it," he added.
Mr. Lore was not reassured.
"The government's managed to destroy our education system and our health system," he said. "I don't know if transportation is that much higher of a priority."
The BC Ferry Services executives all travelled to the islands on board the Queen of Prince Rupert, holding meetings with staff while the vessel was sailing. Mr. Hahn also said he would be willing to return in the winter to experience a rougher sailing.
"If the crew can do it, you know, I'll probably get in there myself," he said.