The North Coast Regional District is calling on coastal communities, First Nations and local governments to join a coordinated effort to advocate for improved BC Ferries service along the North and Central Coast.
In a letter circulated to communities across the region, the NCRD says reliable ferry service is essential to the social and economic well-being of coastal communities, but ongoing service challenges continue to affect residents, businesses and visitors. The invitation was sent to local governments and First Nations from Haida Gwaii to the Central Coast, as well as Prince Rupert and Port Edward.
The regional district says it has consistently advocated to the Province, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, BC Ferries and other transportation stakeholders for improvements to ferry services connecting the North Coast, Haida Gwaii and Southeast Alaska. Ferry service plays a critical role in moving residents, tourists, commercial traffic and essential goods throughout the region, making reliable service a longstanding priority for many coastal communities.
Rather than communities advocating individually, the NCRD is proposing a coordinated regional approach. The district plans to work with participating communities to identify shared concerns before drafting a joint advocacy letter to the Province, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and BC Ferries. Participating governments and organizations would be invited to review the letter before adding their names and logos in support.
The invitation was included in recent council agenda packages for several Haida Gwaii communities, including Daajing Giids and Masset, as local governments continue to press for improvements to ferry reliability, capacity and service levels. The NCRD says it hopes a unified regional voice will strengthen future advocacy efforts on behalf of ferry-dependent communities.
For Haida Gwaii, ferry service remains the primary transportation link for many residents travelling to and from the mainland, while also supporting tourism, commercial transportation and the delivery of essential goods. Service levels continue to be a recurring concern for communities across the islands.