The short-sighted decision to cancel the Discovery Coast direct sailing between Bella Coola and Port Hardy is wrong and must be overturned. The ridiculous new plan calling for subdivision of the route and using the inadequate Nimpkish as a connector vessel results in a list of unacceptable consequences, including:
- alienating the international tourism industry, who now refer to British Columbia as “tourism-hostile”
- devastating the $6 million tourism industry that was generated by the cancelled ferry service
- causing the closure of dozens of businesses and the loss of hundreds of jobs
- limiting health services to Central Coast communities
- severely damaging the socio-economic fabric of communities throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and Northern Vancouver Island
- violating the human rights of the disabled and the elderly
- giving British Columbia a black eye on the world stage
These costs far exceed the paltry savings BC Ferries hopes to realize through this ill-considered plan.
Government has an obligation to foster the economic and social well-being of its citizens. Add your name to the growing list of people demanding that the cancellation be overturned and the Queen of Chilliwack be reinstated on the Discovery Coast route. It is the right thing to do for ferry passengers, for the people of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and Northern Vancouver Island, and for the Province of British Columbia.
Even if you have written already, take this opportunity to remind the government and BC Ferries that this fight continues.
Fill out the form below to voice your opposition to the proposed cutbacks to the Discovery Coast Ferry.
The following is a prepared letter. You can write your own version here.