B.C. FERRIES FARE SCHEME FAVOURS BIG BUSINESS OVER PUBLIC INTEREST

Coastal communities still face largest and fastest fare increases in province's history

A large grocery store chain will benefit from B.C. Ferries' new fare scheme while communities, small businesses and ferry users will continue to struggle with skyrocketing fares, say the New Democrats.

B.C. Ferries released a fare scheme yesterday that allows customers who shop only at Overwaitea Food Group stores to receive cheaper fares for ferries. The ferry corporation has struck a deal with the large grocery chain which allows them to distribute points to customers based on the amount of products they purchase.

"Reduced fares shouldn't be for those who buy the most groceries, nor should they be for those who shop at one particular store over another," said NDP ferry critic Gary Coons in the legislature Wednesday. "It creates unfairness, and it doesn't address the overall problem: the largest and fastest increase in ferry fares in this province's history."

Claire Trevena, MLA for North Island said, "We'd like an answer for all the people who live on islands as to where they're supposed to shop.

"Are they all supposed to shop at only one store so they can afford ferries - to use the marine highway they depend on? Is this what the Campbell government wants?

"With this ill-advised plan, B.C. Ferries has pitted one local business over another. They've done so without consultation with the ferry advisory committee, local governments or the chamber of commerce," said Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons during question period. "So you have this government making decisions, or allowing decisions to be made, that have absolutely nothing to do with the public interest."