Chemainus Community Page

This spring and summer we’re getting back out with our Ferry Advisory Committees and the communities we serve. With a focus on resetting conversations, we’ll be looking at what we’ve heard from FACs and communities over the past two years. We’ll work together to:

• Review the list of feedback we’ve received from each community
• Prioritize the feedback we can action
• Establish criteria that will help a new Community Prioritization Panel make recommendations about what’s most important across the ferry system

This work will result in a prioritized list of action items for each community. From there, a Community Prioritization Panel (CPP) will work to consolidate these items into a prioritized list for the whole BC Ferries system.

All FAC chairs have been invited to participate in the CPP and the panel will deliver a final public report by October 31, 2024. This report will help guide how BC Ferries reviews and makes decisions on changes needed to improve service and experience for customers, and also help inform long-term decisions that align with the ongoing Charting the Course vision process.

Timelines

• May: Virtual meetings with all Ferry Advisory Committees
• June/July: In-person community workshops

Dates and details for community workshops will be posted to this page shortly.

New Safety and Security Measures

In order to create a safe and respectful environment for all, BC Ferries has implemented changes based on recommendations made in its safety review, including:

• Establishing safety and security policies for public events that align with WorkSafe BC requirements.
• Rolling out a new mandatory respectful workplace policy and training across the company, including training in Prevention of Violence in the Workplace for all BC Ferries representatives who will take part in community events.
• Establishing plans and templates to support safety and security assessments in advance of FAC and community meetings.
• Establishing new processes for public events, including the request for participants to RSVP ahead of time, new sign-in requirements, and a new Code of Conduct that will apply to all public events. We’ll provide more information on what you can expect to see at events in an upcoming post to this page.
• Updating the Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct to ensure the correct foundations are in place to support a mutually respectful and productive relationship with FACs.

Stay Informed

We’ll be providing updates to this page in the coming weeks, click the ‘Stay Informed’ icon on the right hand side of the page to receive updates to your email inbox.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The BC Ferries Community Relations Team

As an essential public service, it is our job to keep people moving safely and reliably. We review our capital plan regularly to ensure it’s helping us achieve those goals. Inevitably, that means some tough decisions as we must work within our budget.

During this year’s annual review, we prioritized two main aspects of our capital investment plan:

1. The work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure
2. The delivery of vessels to replace our aging fleet and meet the growing capacity demands of the communities we serve, and the replacement of berths required to support new vessel introductions.

As a result, we have had to defer or adjust the scope of some of our previously planned projects to work within available funds. For more on project impacts for Thetis Island and Penelakut Island, please read on.

Although some adjustments have been made, our plans continue to include $356 million in capital investments this year, and approximately $2.2 billion over the next four years (Performance Term Six). We also plan to pursue additional funding opportunities that would allow us to re-evaluate capital expenditures before the end of the next performance term (March 31, 2028). We will keep you updated as we continue to re-evaluate.

What does this mean for Chemainus, Thetis Island and Penelakut Island?

As we note above, we have prioritized the work required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure for Thetis Island and Penelakut Island residents.

As a result, the Chemainus and Thetis Island terminal projects will focus on berth life extension work, rather than berth replacements as originally planned. This work will keep berths operating safely and reliably as we begin to plan for the introduction of Island Class vessels on this route in the mid-2030s.

Life extension work is anticipated to begin this year at both terminals, and we will be sure to inform the community as plans are developed.

We recognize the delays in these berth replacements also means concerns over available vessels for the route, especially in periods of refit. We are committed to looking at all mitigation options during these periods to ensure the islands continue to receive safe, reliable and uninterrupted service.

We thank you for your understanding as we make the challenging decisions required to ensure the maintenance and continued reliability of our infrastructure.

On December 9, after the completion of the scheduled refit, the Chemainus-Thetis-Penelakut route will see the return of its regular vessel and schedule, with a notable name change.

On December 1, BC ferries along with Penelakut Tribe, held a renaming ceremony at the Point Hope Shipyard in Victoria. BC Ferries renamed its motor vessel Kuper to Pune’luxutth, honouring Indigenous heritage.

Pune’luxutth is the Hul’qumi’num’ word for Penelakut and was the name chosen by Penelakut Tribe. The previous name of the vessel, Kuper, was widely associated with the former residential school of the same name, cultural assimilation and painful history.

Penelakut Tribe Councillor, Josh James explains, “Penelakut Tribe is relieved to see the removal of the colonial name Kuper; furthermore, we are proud to see the use of our Hul’qumi’num language. We look forward to continue building our relationship with BC Ferries.

Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries adds that “by renaming our vessel to a name that acknowledges and honours Indigenous heritage, we aim to foster mutually respectful relationships and move forward with the Indigenous communities we serve in a positive and meaningful way. It demonstrates our commitment to acknowledging past wrongs and correcting hurtful historical naming where we can.”

The vessel has been serving the Chemainus-Thetis-Penelakut route since 2007 and over the past few months has been in its five-year dry-docking and refit. Some of the projects conducted during the refit include an overhaul of main engines, right angle drive units, generators and deck machinery, recertification of safety equipment, and cleaning and painting the ship. This is where it also went through the process of a name change.

In recognition of the name change, BC Ferries will be offering complimentary fares and cookies at the Chemainus ticket booth throughout the day on December 9. We thank our passengers for your patience while the vessel has been in refit.

We would like to reassure the community that on December 10, at the conclusion of the Kuper refit, the standard sailing schedule will return. The return of regular sailing times is reflected on our schedules page here.

Now is the time to shape the vision of the coastal ferry service in BC.

Transportation, transit and ferry systems around the world are under pressure resulting from the pandemic, population growth, climate change, inflation and other factors. BC’s coastal ferry system is no exception, and BC Ferries is responding with actions to address current operational issues. We are also embarking on a long-term transformative journey to reshape our coastal ferry services in response to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

We invite you to participate in Charting the Course, an initiative that aims to define what is needed to keep people, goods, and services in coastal communities connected and moving through to 2050 and beyond.

Hearing from you is an important part of this initiative to help us build a more sustainable and resilient ferry system. The first phase of engagement is open until November 28. Learn more and participate here: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/bc-ferries-charting-the-course

Modified Schedule
Chemainus – Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour)
– Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour)
October 11 – December 10, 2023

The Kuper will be removed from service for its scheduled maintenance refit from October 11 - December 10. During this time, the Kahloke will provide service on the Chemainus – Penelakut Island – Thetis Island route.

A revised schedule will be in place for the duration of the refit period and will include direct sailings between Chemainus - Thetis Island, and Chemainus - Penelakut Island. These sailings are intended to help loading efficiency and maximize deck space in order to maintain on time performance.

The Kahloke will sail daily on the following schedule, with exception to the Dangerous Goods sailings as noted:

* Except on Thursdays, October 19, November 2, 16, and 30 as designated Dangerous Goods Sailings

In addition, the Kahloke will depart from Penelakut Island - Thetis Island at 10:40 am before continuing to Chemainus on October 19, November 2, 16, and 30, instead of its regular direct sailing to Chemainus.

We would like thank the Ferry Advisory Committee and Penelakut Tribe for their input on the modified schedule.

To view the Community printed schedule please visit: https://thetisisland.net/

Today marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day we celebrate and recognize the diverse cultures, traditions and immeasurable contributions of First Nations, Inuit, & Métis across Canada. Indigenous Peoples are the traditional stewards of the rivers, lakes, land & sea where we are privileged to live and work.

#NIPD2023 serves as an opportunity to learn and deepen our understanding of the Indigenous cultures throughout Canada.

• Learn more about Indigenous Peoples land, languages, history and culture: https://maps.fpcc.ca/
• The First Peoples’ map highlights BC's Indigenous language regions, artists & artworks, place names & landmarks: https://native-land.ca/
• Native Land is an app that allows users to map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages: https://ow.ly/1pUt50OPX10
• Use the @BCGovNews map to find events happening in your community celebrating National Indigenous History Month: https://ow.ly/fif850OPX4l
• Learn more about the history, cultures, and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada: https://ow.ly/mJ4250OPX91

Learn about National Indigenous People’s Day and how you can participate in celebrating their culture and heritage.

#BCFerries remains committed to fostering meaningful relationships with the Indigenous communities we serve. We recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership as we work toward a future of mutual respect, reconciliation and inclusivity.

The new BC Ferries app is now available for download to your mobile device in the App Store and Google Play Store. Designed with convenience and personalization in mind, the app makes it easier than ever to check schedules and current conditions, book sailings and manage your trips.

New features and enhancements include:

• Travel Preferences: Allows customers to save travel details for quick access to schedules and current conditions and make faster bookings on frequently travelled routes.
• Current Conditions: Route sailing status and estimated deck space will be easier to view with the updated app layout.
• Making and Managing Bookings: New designs and personalized travel preferences will enable easier bookings. Customers can quickly jump to the next available sailing with the new Express book feature, and manage existing bookings on-the-go.
• Schedules: Enhanced features on daily and seasonal schedules and the introduction of travel preferences will make it easier to trip plan.
• Alerts: Gives customers the option to receive timely push- notifications for service notices and upcoming sailing reminders on their device.
• Seamless check-in: Customers can find their upcoming trips on their app dashboard to access the booking barcode for seamless check-in at the terminal.

This is BC Ferries first release and the company already has plans for new features and functionality. The app will also continue to evolve based on feedback from customers and evolving digital trends.

More information about the mobile app, including how to and helpful tips, is available online at https://www.bcferries.com/app

Since filing in September 2022, an elevated risk of recession, coupled with higher inflation and cost pressures across BC Ferries operations, has forced a recalculation of estimates and plans contained in the company’s Performance Term Six Submission to the independent BC Ferries Commissioner.

Revisions to the plan are in three key areas:

• Traffic Outlook – BC Ferries’ traffic outlook has been updated to reflect the growing certainty of a mild recession occurring during Fiscal 2024;
• Capital Program and Maintenance – continued inflation and higher maintenance costs associated with maintaining an ageing fleet have been factored into an updated schedule and 12-year capital plan.
• Labour and Talent Development – a more comprehensive view of actions necessary to secure required crew levels in response to the growing gap of both exempt and bargaining unit wages relative to the marketplace.

The revised plan also acknowledges the recent commitment of $500 million in new funding from the Province to support the lowering of fare increases for people who rely upon the coastal ferry service. While funding terms are not finalized, the Commissioner will determine the impact on BCF’s revised four-year plan, and will make a final determination on the Performance Term Six price caps by September 30, 2023. The plan is now posted on the Commissioner’s website bcferrycommission.ca for public feedback.

Click here to view the full media release.