British Columbia’s transport minister says he’s concerned with B.C. Ferries’ decision to hire a Chinese shipyard to build four new ferries for its passenger fleet amid ongoing trade disputes between Canada and China.
“I do have concerns around procuring services from any country that is actively harming Canada’s economy through unfair tariffs or other protectionist trade practices. I have shared these concerns with BC Ferries,” B.C. Transport Minister Mike Farnworth said in a statement.
Farnworth said while B.C. Ferries is an independent company responsible for its own operational decisions, he was “disappointed more involvement from Canadian shipyards was not part of the contract.” B.C. Ferries was formerly a Crown corporation, but now operates as a privately held company with the B.C. government as its sole shareholder….