Lack of staff leads to more BC Ferries cancellations
BC Ferries cancelled several sailings because of a lack of crew Saturday, including two trips between Greater Victoria and the Lower Mainland.
The provincial ferry operator announced the cancellations late Friday afternoon. The cancelled sailings included Saturday's 8 a.m. departure from the Swartz Bay terminal on Vancouver Island and the return trip departing Tsawwassen terminal on the mainland at 10 a.m.
Also cancelled were several morning sailings between Swartz Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands aboard the Salish Raven.
As a result of those cancellations, the Salish Heron operated a modified schedule Saturday, details of which can be found on the BC Ferries website.
The company advised travellers between the Island and the Lower Mainland to consider the Duke Point–Tsawwassen route as an alternative, and said its customer service team would contact customers with bookings on the cancelled Swartz Bay–Tsawwassen sailings to let them know if there is space available on an alternate sailing or if their booking must be cancelled.
"In the case of a cancellation, we will refund fees and/or fares," BC Ferries said.
The ferry operator saw almost 700 sailing cancellations between April and November of last year because of staff shortages, and a recent report to the independent regulator that oversees BC Ferries operations highlighted worker retention as a key problem.
Last month, the provincial government announced it was providing $500 million to BC Ferries to prevent fare hikes in excess of 10 per cent per year, which would have been required to keep up with rising costs.
At the time, Dan Kimmerly, president of the Ships Officers' Component with the BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union, expressed a hope that the funding would be "put into the development of employees" to improve BC Ferries competitiveness as a workplace and attract new staff.
"We require a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of our passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations," the company said in its cancellation announcements Friday.
"We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience you may experience as a result of these cancellations."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over U.S. dollar will backfire
The Kremlin said on Monday that any U.S. attempt to compel countries to use the dollar would backfire after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS countries if they created their own currency.
Ontario food banks cutting back amid 'unprecedented surge in demand'
About 40 per cent of food banks in the province have scaled back the amount of food they provide each visit amid “record-high demand,” according to a new report by Feed Ontario.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical
Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.
opinion Are you overpaying for subscriptions? It's time for an audit
From streaming platforms and apps to gym memberships and meal kits, subscriptions are convenient, but it's easy to overlook how much you're spending. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers tips on how to audit your subscriptions to save money.
PM Trudeau 'surprised' provinces unanimous on accelerated defence spending: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his fellow provincial leaders are united in pushing for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets ahead of schedule, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was 'surprised' to hear it.
U.S. Great Lakes region gets yet more snow after a weekend of snarled Thanksgiving travel
Parts of the Great Lakes region saw new snow Monday and faced the prospect of even more this week after U.S. travellers battled harsh weather to get home after Thanksgiving, forecasters said.