By Canadian Press

Transport committee to debate whether to study BC Ferries’ Chinese ship contract

Jul 7, 2025 | 7:40 AM

OTTAWA — The House of Commons transport committee is meeting to decide whether to study BC Ferries’ decision to purchase four Chinese vessels.

BC Ferries announced last month that it hired China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards to build four new ships after a five-year procurement process that did not include a Canadian bid.

Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland sent her B.C. counterpart a letter on June 20 saying she is “dismayed” by the deal and expects BC Ferries to mitigate potential security risks.

Freeland says in a letter sent to provincial Transport Minister Mike Farnworth that she expects BC Ferries to inform her about all measures that it plans to take to “mitigate any security risks,” including cybersecurity problems that might arise from the decision. She also asked the B.C. government to confirm that no federal funding will be diverted to purchase the ferries.

Freeland adds she is “surprised” that BC Ferries does not have a mandate for an “appropriate level” of Canadian content in the procurement given the value of the contract, although the dollar figure hasn’t been made public.

B.C. LEADERSHIP RACE

Langley-Abbotsford MLA considers run for BC Conservative leadership

5h ago

Traffic alert Friday

B.C. govt. urges people not to travel if at all possible, citing heavy traffic on Hwy. 7

6h ago

RETAIL THEFT

Police arrest four alleged shoplifters in one hour in Maple Ridge store

6h ago

Provincial Transport Minister Mike Farnworth said in a statement that the ministry is reviewing the letter, adding that he has spoken with Freeland about the need to bolster B.C.’s shipbuilding industry.

BC Ferries says in a statement that the Chinese bid was “the strongest bid by a significant margin” and that security is a “top priority,” adding that all sensitive systems will be sourced separately and independently certified before the vessels enter service.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank contributed $1 billion to the deal and said in a June 26 statement that the new ferries “wouldn’t likely be purchased” without this financing.

The transport committee meeting is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. EDT.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025

David Baxter, The Canadian Press