FAQs

A public engagement framework is a document that outlines how BC Ferries will engage with coastal communities. This provides consistency, transparency, and accountability, ensuring everyone knows what to expect when BC Ferries engages the public–and more importantly, how to make an impact. 

The new framework will enhance BC Ferries’ public engagement by creating a more consistent, transparent, and inclusive approach to connecting with communities, First Nations, customers, and other interest holders. It will ensure every project follows clear principles and processes, making it easier to gather meaningful input and demonstrate how feedback influences decisions. By fostering open communication and strengthening relationships, the framework will ensure that public voices are not only heard but also reflected in the outcomes of our engagement efforts. 

The engagement framework being developed will be a living document. We will continue to review and update the document as we work with and learn from coastal communities and our interest holders.

BC Ferries’ engagement framework will serve as the foundation for all future engagement projects. It will guide how we connect with communities, First Nations, local governments, customers, and other interest holders, ensuring that our approach is consistent, inclusive, and meaningful. The framework will provide clear processes and tools for planning, conducting, and reporting on engagement, helping us gather input to inform decision-making and improve services. By applying this framework across all engagement projects, BC Ferries aims to strengthen relationships and ensure that we are responsive to the diverse needs and voices of British Columbians.

BC Ferries is seeking input from coastal communities, local governments, First Nations and interested and impacted groups to inform the new framework.

The FAC model was developed over 30 years ago and is no longer meeting the needs of many customers and communities. Feedback has shown that people now prefer more accessible and inclusive ways to provide input. The new engagement framework will broaden opportunities for participation while preserving the community focus the FACs provided.

It’s important that we take this time to hear directly from those who rely on the ferry to get to work, attend school and medical appointments, or visit family and friends. To do this, we need to open up new opportunities for people's voices to be heard before we can finalize or announce a new framework. The feedback we hear over the next few months will be the foundation of the engagement framework that will be developed and launched in May 2025.

BC Ferries is committed to ensuring the new engagement framework reflects the diverse perspectives of the communities we serve by reducing barriers to participation and creating opportunities for underrepresented voices. This includes partnering with community organizations to engage harder-to-reach groups, offering multiple avenues for input such as surveys and in-person sessions, providing materials in accessible formats, and hosting sessions at varied times and locations to accommodate different needs. Equity will remain a central principle of the framework, which will be regularly reviewed and adapted to serve all communities effectively.

People can continue to share operations-related feedback directly through BC Ferries Customer Service online at www.bcferries.com/contact-us or via our Customer Service Centre by phone (1-888-223-3779). For those wishing to share input on policy or coastal community-wide priorities, please email engagement@bcferries.com. The crews at terminals and onboard vessels are there to assist with the daily immediate needs that arise.