A recent study suggests that constructing ferries within British Columbia could provide a significant boost to the province’s economy amidst challenging trade conditions with the United States.
According to the report by the Centre of Future Work, opting to build ferries in local shipyards instead of sourcing them from overseas could effectively support the provincial and national economy in navigating through high American tariffs.
Commissioned by a coalition of unions and industry leaders, the report comes in the wake of BC Ferries’ decision to commission a shipyard owned by the Chinese government for the construction of four major vessels, the cost of which remains undisclosed.
Although BC Ferries justified its choice by citing the lack of Canadian proposals and the cost-effectiveness of the Chinese bid from China Merchants Weihai Shipyards, the move sparked backlash. Labour economist Jim Stafford, a co-author of the report released recently, emphasizes the need to learn from this incident and avoid similar missteps, especially given the current trade climate under U.S. President Donald Trump.
The report does not aim to rehash past decisions but rather focuses on supporting British Columbia in unlocking the economic potential of the shipbuilding sector through commitments to local procurement and investments in infrastructure and workforce development.
Eric McNeely, president of the ferry workers’ union and a member of the Build Them Here coalition, stresses the importance of aligning provincial actions with the ethos of buying locally, particularly in the face of trade challenges. He highlights that supporting local industries should be a priority, whether at the grocery store or in significant investments like those made by BC Ferries.
