The only way to describe BC Ferries’ contract with Chinese state-owned shipbuilder is an “enormous disappointment”. This contract does a great disservice to our youth, British Columbians in general, and Canadians as a whole. BC Ferries claims they’re focused on “getting the best deal,” but their deal has robbed marine trades-workers and apprentices of their future livelihoods, and lost opportunity for Canada’s shipbuilding industry to set sail. This contract has personally struck a chord because shipbuilding has given me so much to be grateful for in Victoria.
After I graduated from high school, my first job was building the Queen of Oak Bay for BC Ferries in 1981. I was lucky, the job provided a good, mortgage-paying family-raising job that gave me the economic security I needed to buy my first home at 23 years old. Shipbuilding helped set my career as an electrician for almost the last half-century. All because of the opportunities created by BC Ferries and the B.C. government.
Today’s youth will not have the same opportunities as I had growing up. This is a massive loss for high school graduates and young adults. BC Ferries has the ability to make an actual difference and contribute to the growth of apprenticeship programs within BC by keeping thousands of jobs here and not sending them to China. More than ever, our kids need opportunity, keep BC shipbuilding local.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 230 represents over 1,600 skilled trades on Vancouver Island working in shipbuilding and repair, construction, manufacturing, environmental controls, security, and all three levels of government.
Phil Venoit, business manager
IBEW Local 230
