July 8 - Feds say BC Ferries' contract with Chinese company to be reviewed

Good morning !

The controversy surrounding BC Ferries’ decision to have its four new vessels built by a Chinese shipyard is heating up, with a review of the decision ordered yesterday by the federal transportation committee. Read on to find out more.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 23 / 25

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 22 / 12

Day after: 🌤️ 23 / 13

NEWS

Feds launch review of $1B loan to BC Ferries for Chinese-built vessels

The House of Commons transport committee agreed yesterday to launch a review of the $1B loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to fund BC Ferries’ four new Chinese-built vessels. 

The review will determine why BC Ferries chose to outsource to a Chinese company, as well as CIB’s decision to loan the money for the project. The transport committee will hear testimonies on the purchase in the next 30 days. The motion states that recommendations must be voted on within an hour of the review’s conclusion.

BC Ferries’ CEO Nicolas Jimenez will testify in Ottawa, along with the CEO of CIB, Federal Transportation Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson. 

The motion was submitted by Conservative MP Dan Albas, who criticized CIB for approving the loan. 

CIB said in a June 26 release that without its financing “the new ferries wouldn’t likely be purchased, and every year of delayed purchase risks more service disruptions, reduced travel options, and employment gains.”

No bids from Canadian shipyards: lack of government funding blamed

When BC Ferries announced that prequalified shipyards could bid for the contract last fall, Seaspan—BC’s largest shipbuilding company—said the project required a budget that was too small for most Canadian shipyards. 

The BC Ferries and Marine Workers Union (BCFMW) recently called on the federal government to fund the province’s ferry industry with amounts equal to those received by VIA Rail and Marine Atlantic in Eastern Canada. BCFMW says the feds’ yearly grant of $38M is too low, arguing that “BC’s ferry system isn’t being treated like the vital national infrastructure it is.”

BC Premier David Eby echoed this sentiment yesterday, saying part of the review should focus on how ferry companies in BC are funded compared to their eastern counterparts.

Ritinder Matthews, BC Ferries’ director of media relations, told Capital Daily in June that “without greater investment by all levels of government,” building in BC would mean “passing on higher costs to customers” through methods like fare hikes.

Read the full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Road closure: Broughton closed between Douglas and Broad for up to one week. 7am-5pm. [City of Victoria]

VIATEC seeks nominations for its 2025–26 Board of Directors, inviting members to help shape the future of local tech sector.

The future of Victoria libraries: Have your say in GVPL’s long-term planning. [Survey]

NEWS

Controversial mid-Island shipbreaking operation loses Crown lease

After years of criticism, legal battles, and multiple fines, the province has cancelled the lease of Deep Water Recovery (DWR) “to protect the public interest.” On the weekend, Mid Island–Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne shared the update on the operation in Union Bay near Cumberland and Denman.

“Ship recycling activity at Union Bay has been a long-standing issue since operations began in late 2020,” Osborne wrote, noting “deep concerns expressed by many, many people, organizations, and local government and First Nations leaders about impacts to the local environment, including the incredible Baynes Sound marine ecosystem.”

Osborne—who was the Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship in 2022—says she “consistently brought these concerns to the attention of the Province.”

The province now says that DWR has not met the high level “of regulatory compliance, operational responsibility, or environmental stewardship required to justify entrusting them with the use of Crown land to enable management and dismantling of end-of-life vessels.”

Years of disputes (and government scrutiny) over stewardship

Much of the public opposition has been voiced through Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound (CCOBS), which has argued that DWR’s setup doesn’t sufficiently prevent hazards and that shipbreaking should be done at a site with a drydock and other measures.

DWR owner Mark Jurisich has argued that DWR sits on industrial land that had already long been highly contaminated by coal shipping. DWR has also argued in court that its work isn’t commercial waste management and that it shouldn’t be penalized while attempting to comply.

In the past year DWR has been warned by BC, and later fined $46K, after an inspection found it was discharging copper effluent at well over 100x the allowable limit and zinc effluent at 13x the limit.

Issue spans multiple jurisdictions and multiple legal cases

Jurisdiction over the site overlaps between two provincial ministries, three federal ones, local municipalities, and traditional K’ómoks First Nation land. 

The Comox Valley Regional District has pursued a civil claim against the shipbreaker, arguing that its land use violates zoning. DWR has also faced off in court with parrot-owning retiree Mary Reynolds, who took 300 videos with a mini-drone, posted some online, and sought a civil restraining order against the company over in-person disputes in 2022.

NEWS

No problems found with escalator after local man’s fatal fall at Uptown

A shopper died several days after falling headfirst down a local mall parkade escalator last Nov. 24, per a new report from Technical Safety BC. The report doesn’t confirm the cause of death (that’s the coroner’s role), but does assess the cause of the injury.

Footage shows that a man with a walker entered the escalator and that the walker and 25lb red grocery bag tipped forward as the escalator moves. He tried to grab and hold the walker but fell forward with it, hitting his head. Other pedestrians tried to help, and called emergency services, per the report; mall security gave first aid.

The report found that the escalator at the mall parkade (which isn’t explicitly identified as Uptown, but is recognizable from the visuals and description) was properly functioning and maintained. It determined that the shopper didn't notice or didn't heed safety signage around the escalator. The signs advise not to use carts, strollers, or wheelchairs on the escalator (there is an elevator nearby, and a separate escalator track for carts).

Technical Safety determined that ultimately the injury was caused by entering the escalator with a top-heavy walker. It notes, though, that the man entered from the side, where the bollards didn't block the walker and signage was less visible. 

SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

Make space for a calmer summer

How do we move from surviving to thriving? Especially in summer, when stress can appear even with all the sunshine. 

“Whether it’s stress or joy, the more we focus on it, the more we notice it,” says Dawn Schell, an instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic. 

Balancing work and kids’ summer activities—or covering for vacationing coworkers—can increase the pressure on our busy schedules. But according to Dawn, stress isn’t something to fix; it’s something to learn from. 

"If we can reduce stress or overwhelm even just a smidge, this clears the way to thinking more clearly about what needs to be done, what can wait, and what steps to take next," she says.

Watch the three-minute video to discover how you can move from surviving to thriving and improve well-being.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐸 Pacific chorus frog: The frog—which is able to change colours—was spotted on the North Island. [Facebook photos]

🥳 A decade of coastal living calls for a party! Celebrate Royal Bay’s 10-Year Anniversary with live music, markets, prizes, and more at Quarry Park.*

🐦️ Budgies say ‘Happy Pride’: The colourful birds capture the Pride spirit at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. [Instagram]

🦅 Be a part of Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) to build your knowledge of birds and bird conservation, enhance your connection with nature, and make a positive impact in your community. Learn more here.*

🖼 Robert Bateman's Full Stride: Great Blue Heron is on display at Sidney's Peninsula Gallery and will soon be auctioned off to benefit SPH’s Acute Care Unit renovation. See Bateman explain the painting here:

^{*Sponsored Listing}

🗞️ In Other News

Dry June on the Island sparks wildfire concerns
It was one of the driest Junes ever for certain parts of the Island—Comox had only 2mm last month (0.5% of its usual 42mm June rainfall). Victoria was the outlier, finishing the month with above-average rain (mostly from one day of heavy rain). As of yesterday, most of the Island is at a “high” or “extreme” risk of wildfires. [CHEK]

Cowichan transit strike continues as workers reject mediator’s recommendations
The strike—now the longest transit strike in BC history at 21 weeks—will continue as Unifor Union workers fight for similar pay to their Victoria counterparts, designated breaks, and better access to washrooms. The union says the mediator’s June 30 recommendations didn’t meet their requirements. It was overwhelmingly rejected by union members, with more than 85% voting against it. [Cowichan Valley Citizen]

View Royal moves meetings to 6pm, as of today
Council aims to make attendance easier for councillors and observers with day jobs; it hopes this will encourage more locals to run for office next fall. Council meetings now start (and, ideally, end) an hour earlier, and committee of the whole meetings no longer begin in mid-afternoon. [View Royal]

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🗓️ Things to do

🎶 Music in the Park: Join your neighbours for food, music, and fun in Saanich’s Goward Park today. 6pm. [Info]

🎸 BF/C and Fowl Bay: This double billing features Swedish electro-pop duo BF/C and Victoria alt-rockers Fowl Bay at The Coda today. 6pm. [Info]

🎭 Yes and Yesteryear: See this improvised Jane Austen performance at Emily Carr House every Friday and Saturday starting this week. 7pm. [Info]

💄 Drag Comedy Cabaret: See Calgary artist Lilith Fair in her one-woman show at Capital Ballroom. Sat. 7pm [Info]

🇲🇽 Festival Mexicano: Check out this free cultural festival at Ship Point, with salsa dancing, piñatas, yummy food, and live music. Sat. & Sun. 11am-6pm. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Victoria aims to add e-bike program by next year; 23 years since Lisa Marie Young disappeared;  [July 7]

Elk/Beaver Lake Park: Tree debris removal. [Today to Fri.]

Witnesses to Jan. 5 arrest in Courtenay sought by IIO; arrestee was injured and hospitalized. 

All Island wildfires under control. [BC Wildfire]

BC’s Coast Guard hovercraft active again after being grounded three weeks ago over crew shortages. [CTV]

A biiiiiiig stretch by a young barn owl. [VanIsleWildlife video]