By Canadian Press

Business leader says BC Ferries’ hiring of Chinese shipyard is ‘informed decision’

Jun 11, 2025 | 12:27 PM

VICTORIA — A business leader on ferry-dependent Vancouver Island says BC Ferries made a “strongly informed decision” in hiring a Chinese shipyard to build four new major vessels.

Both the NDP government and B.C. Conservative Opposition have criticized the choice of Chinese state-owned China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards.

But Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, says it’s in the best interests of all who rely on BC Ferries.

He says few companies around the world have the capacity to build vessels of such size, and BC Ferries did “due diligence” for years in a global procurement process that did not receive any Canadian bids.

The B.C. Conservatives have called on Premier David Eby’s government to cancel the contract that was announced on Tuesday, while accusing Eby of abandoning Canadian workers.

Homeless encampment fire

Homeless encampment structure in Abbotsford goes up in flames

14h ago

Stabbing

Police in Abbotsford now say Tuesday's assault involved a random stabbing at a bus stop

14h ago

Harrison councillor honoured

Harrison Hot Springs councillor awarded with King Charles III Coronation Medal

16h ago

Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth says he raised concern with BC Ferries about the contract, but notes that the operator is an independent company that makes its own operational decisions.

The provincial government is the sole preferred shareholder in BC Ferries and it receives public funding, but Williams says the purchase decision is not a government decision.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press