Quadra Island Community Page

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.

Summary of Engagement Results

On February 4, 2023 we held a community drop-in on both Cortes and Quadra Island. We had close to 60 people attend the events in person, in addition to over 1000 visits to the online community page. Comments and feedback about important topics to the community were also collected on the pages and in person. A quick synopsis of engagement results can be found below. The full report is available and can be found by clicking the links below or in the Documents section on the right-hand side of this page.

• Engagement Summary Report

Cortes Island - Synopsis of Engagement Results

25 participants attended in person and over 94 comments were received

Engagement activities included:

• A four-week online engagement
• One in person community drop in

Key themes that emerged from the engagement included:

• Assured loading
• Electrification
• Schedule adjustments

Quadra Island - Synopsis of Engagement Results

34 participants attended in person and over 62 comments were received

Engagement activities included:

• A four-week online engagement
• One in person community drop in

Key themes that emerged from the engagement included:

• Schedule adjustments
• Crewing
• Communication

Update: Two Island Class Vessels for Campbell River-Quadra Island Route: New loading procedures

New load and go process

Sailings approximately every 35 minutes means less time waiting. It also means the vessel will load and go. Some sailings may depart with free deck space to help keep turn around times short to prepare for the arrival of the next ferry. In addition, there will be no priority loading lanes, and vehicles will be separated as needed during loading rather than in the terminal holding lot.

New Commute time options

Two ships means more frequent service and new options for your commute to and from home. Service will increase to up to 29 round trips per day, delivering more service at peak times and more capacity overall.

We recognize it will take time to get used to a new ship and new schedules. Please be patient and kind to our crew and your fellow passengers as this new services begins.

Two Island Class Vessels to begin service on Campbell River-Quadra Island Route

Round trip service between Campbell River – Quadra Island will grow from up to 18 trips to up to 29 per day with the introduction of the Island Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a on January 18, 2023 to deliver more service at peak times and more capacity overall.

Read the full media release here.

On January 17, we invite you to join us at the farewell event for the Powell River Queen, as we recognize the valuable contribution the ship has made to our crew, residents, and visitors during its 58 years of service.

Employees, past and present, as well as the community will have the opportunity to say their goodbyes both on board the vessel as well as at Quathiaski Cove Terminal.

On board celebrations

As the vessel completes its last day of service, special announcements will be made recognizing the ship’s history and contribution to fleet.

At the terminal - Quathiaski Cove Terminal: 3:30pm – 5:50pm

Those not planning on travelling on January 17, will have the opportunity to celebrate and say farewell to the vessel at Quathiaski Cove Terminal. Highlights of the vessels history will be on display, along with a guest book for signing and light refreshments.

The Powell River Queen will be sailing on its regular schedule for the day, with the final sailings noted below.

• Depart Quathiaski Cove at 5:50pm
• Depart Campbell River at 6:15pm

Following the last trips, the vessel will be tied up at Buckley Bay ahead of a final move. The Island Nagalis will then relieve the Powell River Queen and complete the remaining sailings for the evening.

Beginning January 18, 2023, the Island Nagalis and the Island K’ulut’a will begin serving the route and provide two-ship service.

Two Island Class Vessels to begin service on Campbell River-Quadra Island Route

Round trip service between Campbell River – Quadra Island will grow from up to 18 trips to up to 29 per day with the introduction of the Island Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a on January 18, 2023 to deliver more service at peak times and more capacity overall.

Read the full media release here.

What is a Performance Term?

A performance term is a review of BC Ferries services and fees by the BC Ferries Commissioner. Performance Term reviews happen every four years, and the current term (Performance Term 5) will end on March 31, 2024.

BC Ferries has just submitted its proposal for Performance Term 6. This submission sets out our proposed service plans, including capacity increases, replacing aging vessels and infrastructure, and addressing service challenges over the next four years (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2028). The submission also outlines our financial information and what we believe will be required in order to provide the proposed service changes. This information assists the Commissioner in setting a price cap, the maximum allowable increase to fares for the next performance term.

You’re invited to provide input on the Performance Term

Community members are encouraged to provide their thoughts and feedback on our Performance Term 6 submission while it is under review by the Commissioner, in particular the service plan proposals. You can do that now by reading the submission and providing your feedback at: bcferrycommission.ca

Details on the proposed service changes for your community can be found in the Performance Term 6 submission on page 117/118.

What’s in Performance Term 6 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2028)

Modernization and replacement of vessels, terminals and IT systems are the centrepiece of BC Ferries’ Performance Term 6 submission, including:

• Long Term Traffic Demand Outlook (fiscal years 2023 through 2034)

• Capacity Review and Service Enhancement Strategies

• Workforce planning strategies

• Emission reduction strategies

• Strategies for evolving with travel behaviour changes

• Strategies for improving efficiency

• Capital plans (2023 – 2034)

Next Steps

The BC Ferry Commissioner will announce a preliminary price cap on March 31, 2023 and will finalize it on September 30, 2023. Once the review process is complete, BC Ferries will proceed with more detailed design and planning for the actions contained in the approved proposal. We will engage with the communities we serve on putting these plans into action. Stay tuned to this page for more information.