The Skeena-Queen Charlotte regional district is writing to BC Ferries demanding that visitor information centres across the province give out accurate information about the northern ferry schedule.
Directors voted to write the letter at their May 26 meeting in Prince Rupert, after hearing from Port Clements mayor Cory Delves, said administrator Janet Beil.
Mr. Delves (now on holiday) told the board that some tourists he met on the Queen of Prince Rupert said they were told by info centres that it would be impossible to get to the Charlottes by ferry this summer.
It is vital for tourism-related businesses on the north coast that the info centres give out correct information about the ferry, Ms Beil said.
BC Ferries is operating a reduced schedule this summer, because it has only one ship, but there is regular service between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, and Prince Rupert and the islands.
The QPR is scheduled to arrive in Skidegate on June 2 and 3 this week, in the early afternoon. It returns to Rupert on the same days, departing at 3:30 pm. Next ferry days after that are June 8 and 9.
In other news:
o The regional district turned down a request from the Dixon Entrance Maritime Museum Society for an economic development grant, Ms Beil said, because it isn't giving out local grants right now. The museum had asked for around $3,300. Local grant requests should be submitted in November, she said, although the board will consider requests that affect a region at any time.
o The board received a letter from Minister of Forests Rich Coleman in response to its letter about a community forest agreement for Sandspit. The Ministry is reviewing the community forest program and won't be handing out any more agreements until the review is completed, he wrote.
o The regional district will hold its regular August meeting on the Charlottes instead of Prince Rupert, Ms Beil said. The exact location has yet to be determined.
o A report on directors' expenses in 2005 was distributed at the May 26 meeting. According to the report, chair Barry Pages collected $13,675 in remuneration last year, along with $14,780 in expenses and $3,483 in benefits. Former Area F director and current Queen Charlotte mayor Carol Kulesha collected $8,417 in remuneration, as well as $8,556 in expenses and $3,321 in benefits. Area D director Ian Hetman received $8,567 in remuneration, $7,736 in expenses and $3,390 in benefits.
None of the other islanders on the list served a full year on the board. Duane Gould, who was defeated in the November election, received $7,665 in remuneration and $6,940 in expenses, while former Port mayor Dale Lore received $7,815 in remuneration and $3,599 in expenses.