Subhead:B.C. Ferries faces criticism for buying four vessels from China’s CMI Weihai, which stems from a lack of Canadian bids and costlier domestic labour.#
B.C.’s Opposition leader wants to cancel BC Ferries’ controversial billion-dollar contract with a Chinese shipyard after Premier David Eby took no action to defend local workers.
B.C. Ferries faces criticism for buying four vessels from China’s CMI Weihai, which stems from a lack of Canadian bids and a reported $1.1 billion cost advantage over European competitors, according to Global News.
The company currently charges $95 for a car and driver, plus $15 per passenger, on its main southern routes. Fares may increase by 30% by 2028.
BC Conservatives call for Premier Eby to fire BC Ferries Chair Joy MacPhail and CEO Nicolas Jimenez over $1B China ferry deal. pic.twitter.com/p4zbSwJrFq
— Conservative Party of BC (@Conservative_BC) August 14, 2025
Conservative leader John Rustad criticized the NDP earlier this week for not engaging local shipbuilders sooner, suggesting B.C. Ferries should have turned to allies like Germany or Poland if domestic options were unavailable.
Eby wouldn’t cancel the deal due to billions in costs and delays to vital vessel procurement. Meanwhile, his Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth distanced himself from the decision, citing Chinese tariffs.
