Eby Must Order Release of All BC Ferries China Contract Records Out of Public Interest
VICTORIA, BC: John Rustad, Leader of the Official Opposition and Conservative MLA for Nechako Lakes, is calling on Premier David Eby to immediately order BC Ferries to release every document, email, and briefing related to the $1.2-billion contract with Chinese state-owned shipbuilder CMI Weihai.
“This deal didn’t just hand a billion dollars to Beijing – it shut Canadian shipyards out entirely,” Rustad said. “We owe it to our shipyard workers to show them exactly how and why that happened. British Columbians deserve complete transparency.”
This week, Canada’s oldest shipyard revealed it didn’t even stand a chance. Davie Shipyard CEO James Davies said BC Ferries’ criteria were “heavily weighted toward the lowest price, effectively favouring Chinese shipyards,” and that requests to factor in Canadian content and innovation were rejected.
“When our own shipyards asked for a fair chance, BC Ferries turned them down,” Rustad said. “That tells you everything about where this government’s priorities are.”
The Official Opposition is demanding the release of all bids, evaluations, communications, briefing notes, financial records, and related economic, trade, and security analyses tied to the contract.
“BC Ferries may operate at arm’s length, but its sole shareholder is the Province of British Columbia. That means Premier Eby has the authority – and the obligation – to direct the BC Ferries Board to make these records public. He can’t hide behind the board. This is a government-owned company, and the responsibility rests with him.”
Rustad’s call for transparency follows his earlier demand to cancel the contract and remove BC Ferries Board Chair Joy MacPhail and CEO Nicolas Jimenez, in light of China’s latest 75.8% tariff on Canadian canola – the newest in a string of trade actions also targeting BC seafood and forestry.
“You can’t tell BC farmers and fishers you stand with them while sending a billion dollars of public money to the very regime attacking their livelihoods – and you can’t say you stand with the shipping industry when you gave them no chance to compete,” Rustad said.
“We owe it to the public to release every record and let British Columbians see for themselves how this deal happened. The first step to rebuilding our shipbuilding industry, and rebuilding BC’s economic strength, is full transparency. That means making the records public, cancelling this deal, removing those responsible for it, and committing to build these ships here at home. That’s the only way to stand with BC workers.”
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Media Contact:
Brad Zubyk, Chief of Staff
brad.zubyk@leg.bc.ca
