Rising ferry fares and a flawed provincial government approach to consultation with coastal communities has caused local community groups to take action to ensure Gabriolans have a chance to describe their hopes for the ferry system.
Ferry Advisory Committee chair John Hodgkins and Dyan Dunsmoor-Farley, a FAC and Sustainable Gabriola member, announced on November 13th, that their groups would unite forces to create a real opportunity for Gabriolans to have their voices heard. A 3-hour planning session will be held on December 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Community Hall. It will feature anything you want to discuss about our ferry service with no leading questions and no out of bounds topics
Dubbed by Dunsmoor-Farley as a “design your own ferry system” workshop, Gabriolans will have an opportunity to identify what the objectives of the small island ferry services should be and the values and principles that should underpin the service. Participants will be encouraged to discuss governance and accountability, alternative service delivery models, and improvements to the existing model.
Hodgkins noted: “The results of the discussions will form the basis of the FAC submission to the provincial government. All ideas and perspectives to create a positive vision of our ferry service are welcomed”.
MLA Doug Routley will be there, along with reps from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and BC Ferries who will be available as resource persons. We can’t do it without you. Please mark it in your calendar. Bring a friend. It will be fun, painless, and you’ll feel better after getting your two-cents worth out there.
Contact: Dyan Dunsmoor-Farley, 3230 South Road, Gabriola VOR 1X7 : telephone 250 -247-9779