B.C. Premier Eby says Ottawa must increase its subsidy for B.C. ferry users

VICTORIA — Premier David Eby says it is time for the federal government to float more money for ferry users in British Columbia after Ottawa cut ferry rates in Atlantic Canada.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Aug. 1, there will be a 50 per cent fare cut for passenger, vehicle and commercial users of Marine Atlantic — a constitutionally mandated ferry service connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Eby says now it’s time for the federal government to have a “serious look” at the current funding formula for B.C. ferry users.

The premier acknowledged that Carney’s announcement today was an election promise, but says Ottawa must “up the federal subsidy” for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades.

Eby has noted previously that the federal government subsidizes ferry users in Atlantic Canada by about $300 per person, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 per person, and says provinces must receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program.

Carney’s announcement comes after the federal government heavily criticized the BC Ferries contract with a Chinese state-owned company to build one of its vessels, even as the Canada Infrastructure Bank loaned the company money for the ferry.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press