Coastal Ferry System

WHEREAS ferry fares on minor routes will cost 17 more this summer than last summer, which is a direct deterrent to tourism and economic development in island coastal communities; AND WHEREAS the government portion of ferry funding has fallen, even as ferry fares have climbed dramatically due to user-pay policies; AND WHEREAS the user-pay system which is applied to small communities on the marine highway is not consistent with governments approach to other essential transportation infrastructure: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM petition the provincial government to treat the coastal ferry system as equivalent to the provincial highway system and to support the minor routes to the same degree that provincial highways and other transportation infrastructure is supported by government taxes, grants and subsidies.