BC Ferries (BCF) announced Monday that it is abandoning the longstanding Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) system of connecting with its communities in favour of more direct online engagement with the public.
The ferry corporation said in a press release that it is “launching a process to design a new engagement model that better addresses the evolving needs of growing coastal communities, reflecting the importance of more effectively incorporating digital engagement,” effective May 2025.
“A lot has changed in the last 30-plus years since the FAC model was first created, and it’s time for us to have a look at our broader engagement process to make sure that it’s accessible, inclusive and representative of a broad range of input,” said Morningstar Pinto, executive director of external engagement, in the release.
Harold Swierenga, who has served on the Salt Spring Island Ferry Advisory Committee since 2006 and been its chair since 2007, said a meeting of FAC chairs had already been set for Monday morning, but no notice of the committee system being disbanded was provided.
“I was surprised with what they said today, but not totally shocked,” said Swierenga.
Some politicians had obviously been informed, however, as BC Ferries’ press release quotes Gibsons Mayor Silas White, Bowen Island Mayor Andrew Leonard and Klahoose Nation Chief Steven Brown.
“I am extremely encouraged that BC Ferries is listening to ferry-dependent communities that their public engagement processes need a restart,” states White in the press release. “Our residents have spoken through lack of attendance and confidence at recent public Ferry Advisory Committee meetings. Our community agrees it is time for a more inclusive and dynamic approach, and we look forward to working with BC Ferries to develop a process that targets a broad and democratic representation of voices, and most importantly, delivers results.”
BCF said surveys pointed to respondents wanting “more digital engagement options” to provide their opinions about ferry service.
Plans call for BC Ferries “ensuring accessible opportunities for many voices to be heard and actively shape the future of ferry engagement, including through community forums, terminal and on-board pop-ups, interest holder meetings, and attendance at local events,” beginning in the new year.
Swierenga points out that FAC members frequently had marine backgrounds or other relevant expertise, which was helpful in addressing challenges faced by communities and BCF. FAC meetings were public but not designed solely to solicit public opinion.
For more on this story, see the Dec. 4 issue of the Driftwood newspaper and updates on this website.