Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland told MPs that she is “dismayed” by B.C. Ferries’ decision to purchase vessels from Chinese shipyards, but did not state her position on the $1 billion loan the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) provided the corporation for the purchase.
Freeland made the comments on Aug. 1 as she testified before the House of Commons transport committee, which is reviewing the issue.
In June, BC Ferries announced it had hired state-owned China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards to build four vessels, and that no Canadian shipyards had participated in the procurement process. The announcement came amid concerns with Chinese interference in Canada, as well as the United States imposing 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, which has prompted Ottawa to prioritize “buy Canadian.”…