“We are launching today because we are at an inflection point. The need to buy Canadian and build Canadian has grown even more critical in the last 10 days. In this moment, we can either lean into our long and proud history of shipbuilding in B.C. and rebuild an industry that has supported thousands of British Columbians and their families for decades or we can let this once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring ferry construction home pass us by and continue building ferries in China,” said Brynn Bourke, Executive Director of the BC Building Trades in a common press release on 31 August. “B.C. shipbuilders are world class. The next round of ferries should be built now and built here,” he points out.

The campaign, which is taking place in parallel with the US trade war against Canada escalating, refers to a poll conducted by Leger in November showed overwhelming public support for rebuilding B.C.’s shipbuilding industry: 84% of British Columbians want a plan to keep shipbuilding jobs in B.C. and 61% say ferries should be built in B.C.

“Four new ferries should have meant years of good jobs and economic activity in B.C. Instead, BC Ferries sent that work to China. Public dollars should support B.C. workers and build a stronger economy here at home,” said Scott Lunny, Director of United Steelworkers District 3.

With BURSZTYN UNITY expected to be delivered by Remontowa Shiprepair Yard in Poland within the next few months, all new RoPax tonnage above 15,000 GT for Western ferry operators will be on order at Chinese shipyards. The only exception is new ferry tonnage contracted for domestic US operation, which is built in the United States in accordance with the Jones Act.

Read also: BC Ferries Selects CMI Weihai Shipyard To Construct Four New Major Vessels

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