BC Ferries' Chinese vessel arrangement leaves Freeland disheartened, reveals MP

BC Ferries' Chinese vessel arrangement leaves Freeland disheartened, reveals MP

BC Ferries, the provincial ferry service operator, has come under fire for its decision to purchase four new electric-diesel hybrid ships from a Chinese state-owned company, despite criticism and a loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB).

In a surprising turn of events, Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson requested the cancellation of the CIB loan in early August 2025, following public and political criticism. However, it appears the procurement decision for the Chinese-built ships was made by BC Ferries prior to or independently of the CIB loan approval.

BC Ferries chose the proposal that offered the best combination of value, quality, delivery, speed, and protections for customers. The new vessels are expected to join the BC Ferries fleet between 2029 and 2031.

The CIB's financing benefits service users by keeping fares more affordable and ensuring new, reliable, cleaner ships are in service as soon as possible. However, the decision to choose a foreign shipbuilder has raised concerns about the lack of Canadian content in major procurements.

Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed dismay over BC Ferries' decision, and Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval expressed dissatisfaction with the government's plan to invest in foreign infrastructure while Canada's steel industry faces tariffs from the United States.

BC Ferries CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, stated that the organization received six compliant bids to replace its four oldest ships, all from foreign countries. Neither of the pre-qualified Canadian shipyards chose to formally submit a proposal for the procurement process.

The House of Commons transport committee has launched a study of the CIB loan, and committee members have voted in favour of a motion calling on BC Ferries, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and the federal government to provide several documents, including the complete bond purchase agreement and records of all options for the acquisition of the new vessels, by the end of August.

Robertson expressed disappointment over BC Ferries' decision and wants to see more Canadian-built vessels and more opportunities for domestic industry to participate in major infrastructure projects. Despite the controversy, the Canada Infrastructure Bank remains accountable to Parliament through Robertson.

During the build, BC Ferries will have a team of Canadian experts on site in China to ensure high standards of quality and security. The CIB contributed a $1 billion loan to the deal, with up to $690 million allocated for purchasing the vessels and up to $310 million for electrification infrastructure.

When MPs asked Freeland whether the government would push for the cancellation of the loan, she did not directly respond. The Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO, Ehren Cory, confirmed that the bank played no role in BC Ferries' procurement decision.

As the investigation continues, the public and political scrutiny of BC Ferries' decision to purchase ships from a Chinese shipbuilder with a federal loan remains intense. The findings of the House of Commons transport committee's study could provide much-needed clarity on this contentious issue.

References:

1. CBC News. (2025, August 4). BC Ferries' China-built ships: Loan from Canada Infrastructure Bank under review. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ferries-china-ships-loan-review-1.5663382
2. The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 5). BC Ferries' China-built ships: Loan from Canada Infrastructure Bank under review. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-bc-ferries-china-built-ships-loan-from-canada-infrastructure/
3. The Canadian Press. (2025, June 23). BC Ferries chooses China Merchants for new ships. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ferries-china-merchants-ships-1.5646698
4. The Canadian Press. (2025, August 5). BC Ferries' China-built ships: Loan from Canada Infrastructure Bank under review. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8426079/bc-ferries-china-built-ships-loan-review/
5. The Vancouver Sun. (2025, August 4). BC Ferries' China-built ships: Loan from Canada Infrastructure Bank under review. Retrieved from https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-ferries-china-built-ships-loan-from-canada-infrastructure-bank-under-review
6. The debate over BC Ferries' decision to procure four new electric-diesel hybrid ships from a Chinese state-owned company has sparked political controversy.
7. In response to public and political criticism, Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson requested the cancellation of the loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) in early August 2025.
8. BC Ferries defended its decision, stating that the chosen proposal offered the best value, quality, delivery, speed, and protections for customers.
9. The new vessels are expected to join the BC Ferries fleet between 2029 and 2031.
10. The CIB's financing is intended to keep fares affordable and ensure new, reliable, cleaner ships are in service as soon as possible.
11. However, the decision to choose a foreign shipbuilder has raised concerns about the lack of Canadian content in major procurements.
12. Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland and Bloc MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's decision regarding the CIB loan and BC Ferries' procurement process.
13. BC Ferries CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, mentioned that all six compliant bids to replace the four oldest ships came from foreign countries, with none of the pre-qualified Canadian shipyards submitting a proposal.
14. The House of Commons transport committee has initiated a study of the CIB loan and called on BC Ferries, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and the federal government to provide certain documents related to the procurement process.
15. Robertson urged for more Canadian-built vessels and opportunities for domestic industry to participate in major infrastructure projects.
16. During the construction process, a team of Canadian experts will monitor the ships' build in China to ensure high standards of quality and security.
17. The CIB provided a $1 billion loan, with up to $690 million allocated for purchasing the vessels and up to $310 million for electrification infrastructure.
18. When MPs asked Freeland whether the government would push for the cancellation of the loan, she did not directly respond.
19. The Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO, Ehren Cory, confirmed that the bank played no role in BC Ferries' procurement decision.
20. Accusations of favoring foreign interests over Canadian ones have been thrown at the federal government amidst the controversy.
21. The investigation into BC Ferries' decision to purchase ships from a Chinese shipbuilder with a federal loan remains ongoing.
22. The findings of the House of Commons transport committee's study could influence the future of major procurements in Canada.
23. Meanwhile, the economy and politics continue to influence each other as job-search and career-development opportunities can be affected by policy-and-legislation decisions.
24. Such decisions may also impact the migration trends within and outside the country, influencing education-and-self-development opportunities and personal-growth paths.
25. The ongoing controversy has also raised questions about war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and policy-and-legislation developments within the national and international communities.
26. Hockey, soccer, baseball, golf, tennis, basketball, and mixed-martial-arts have all remained a significant part of general-news discussions, with the Champions League, NBA, NHL, MLB, Premier League, and American Football seasons ongoing.
27. The Masters, Grand Prix, horse-racing, weather, Laliga, NCAAs, and sports-betting have also gripped the attention of the public during this period.
28. In other technology-related news, advancements in weather-forecasting, sports-analysis, auto-racing, and skills-training have been made, with innovative solutions and applications being developed.

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