Haida Gwaii residents demand expanded ferry service

Residents of Haida Gwaii are calling on the governmentto expand the ferry service that connectsthe communities of Sandspit and Queen Charlotte.

Prior to provincial cuts in 2014, daily ferry serviceran until 10:30 p.m. Now, the final ferry each day departs at 6:10 p.m.

The number of daily crossings also dropped from 24 to 20.

• BC Ferries is making less money despite record passenger numbers

The roughly 300 residents ofSandspitrely onthe ferry to reach services like doctors, dentists and banks in the larger community of Queen Charlotte.

Longtime Sandspit resident Joni Fraser said the shortened ferry hours are hurting her community.

"It is our only public transportation link to all of our emergency and essential services," Fraser said.

Ferry servicein Haida Gwaiiis operated by BC Ferries, but funded by the province.

Fraser said the ferry crossing shouldtakeabout 20minutes, but can oftentake several hours due to missed sailing and long wait times.

"It's uncertain whether you're going to get on a sailing," she said. "And then you can't be assured you will be home at the end of the day."

Increasing tourism

Fraser said the growing number of tourists visiting Haida Gwaii is also putting a strain on the ferry service.

"I actually have completely stopped going [to Queen Charlotte] unless I absolutely must," she said.

• Direct ferry service to BellaCooladelayed again, slowing summer tourism

Queen Charlotte Mayor Greg Martin said the restricted ferry schedule has drastically changed the relationship between Sandspit and his community.

Students living in Sandspitattend thehigh school in Queen Charlotte.

Martin said the Sandspit students can't take part in many after-school activities because they have to catch the ferry back home so early.

He said reduced sailingsrestrictopportunitiesfor social gatherings and shared community events.

Martin has urged the province to reinstate previous service levels since the cuts were originally made four years ago.

"The tricky part is that while the solution is simple, it's not easy," said Martin. "It all comes down to finances."

Ferry service under review

Transportation Minister Claire Trevena says she understands that people on Haida Gwaii are frustrated.

"BCFerries is an independent company at the moment," she said. "So we have to work with BC Ferries."

• Plenty of apologies, but no quick fix for frustrated BC Ferries customers

Last December, the province launched a review of coastal ferry service in B.C.

Trevena said she's received the report, which has not yet been released publicly, andis reviewing the findings.

She discussed ferry issues with local governments from Haida Gwaii at the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler.

"We're obviously working with BCFerries diligently to get service back on [the Sandspitto Queen Charlotte] route."

Trevenasays the report on B.C.'s coastal ferry service will come out later this fall.