Political representatives from surrounding regions, including Regional District of Nanaimo chairman Joe Stanhope, travelled to Vancouver last week to voice disapproval of ferry fare increases with the B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“I know for a fact people in this area, regular visitors, aren’t as regular anymore and that’s basically because of the increases,” said Stanhope upon his return home. “This is a big issue for all of the regional districts and I’m really concerned.”
Stanhope said the cost to bring young families over is particularly worrying, and the forecasted increases on the horizon are simply not sustainable for islanders, he said.
Representatives from the regional districts of Powell River, Strathcona, Sunshine Coast, Alberni-Clayoquot, Greater Vancouver and the Capital Regional District were among those present at a half-hour meeting with the minister, Blair Lekstrom, and Stanhope said the presentations were well received.
“I think we made a good presentation and we’re going to meet again at the Union of B.C. Municipalities and maybe even ask for a meeting with the premier,” he said.