Building ships with B.C. workers and high environmental standards matters.
That’s why the shipbuilding industry, local trade unions and hundreds of marine suppliers in B.C. and across Canada have joined forces to help ensure the province isn’t shut out of what will be the largest shipbuilding procurement in B.C.’s history.
Build Ferries BC believes taxpayer money should stay in Canada, but that may not happen if a foreign shipyard is chosen to build the new ferries.
The new major vessels program
BC Ferries’ New Major Vessels program presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build ferries in B.C. and support high-value jobs and economic growth.
The program includes seven new ferries expected to be in operation by 2029 that will replace six existing major vessels nearing their end-of-life.
Time is running out to make sure B.C. is included in this capital program. BC Ferries is developing the Request for Proposals (RFP) and plans to release it in June – only a couple months from now. Currently, this RFP may have no significant requirements for Canadian involvement and could only favour the lowest price bidder, which means a foreign shipyard will certainly win the competition.
The provincial government and BC Ferries need to act immediately, or else these vessels might be built overseas with no provincial or Canadian content.
All of the economic benefits, tax revenue, innovation, green technology, supply chain and jobs could go to a foreign country.
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