Residents and interested parties in Victoria, Courtenay, Comox and the Gulf Islands will soon have an opportunity to take part in the B.C. coastal ferries consultation and engagement process.

As part of the B.C. government's commitment to open government, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is holding a series of public meetings to get input on coastal ferry services.

The review earlier this year by the independent BC ferry commissioner identified significant financial challenges including declining ridership and falling revenue. The commissioner specifically recommended the B.C. government, BC Ferries, ferry users and the public all need to be part of the solution.

The ministry would like input on considerations to achieve $26 million in savings by 2016, as well as input on the long-term vision for coastal ferry services in British Columbia that will keep our ferries affordable, efficient and sustainable.

The ministry is providing several opportunities for public consultation and engagement. All consultation and engagement meetings will be open to the public, with a series of small-group meetings and open houses taking place in 30 communities.

The small group meetings and public open houses will be held:

Monday, Dec. 3
Mayne Island
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. public open house at the Mayne Island Community Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 4
Courtenay-Comox
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. small group meeting at the Westerly Hotel and Convention Centre
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. public open house at the Westerly Hotel and Convention Centre

Tuesday, Dec. 4
Saturna Island
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. public open house at Saturna Island Community Hall

Wednesday Dec. 5
Victoria
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. small group meeting at the Hotel Grand Pacific
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. public open house at the Hotel Grand Pacific

Wednesday, Dec. 5
Texada Island
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. public open house at the Texada Island Community Hall

Saturday, Dec. 8
Hornby Island
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. public open house at the Hornby Island Community Hall

Saturday, Dec. 8
Denman Island
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. public open house at the Denman Island Community School

Discussion guides and feedback forms will be available at the meetings and online. Copies of the discussion guide and feedback form have been distributed to municipal offices, libraries and First Nations band offices in coastal communities. Information about how to participate can be found at: www.coastalferriesengagement.ca

To attend a small-group meeting, please email coastalferriesengagement@gov.bc.ca or call

1 855 387-7882 toll-free. No RSVP is required for the public open houses. The first 90 minutes will be a public open house, followed by a question-and-answer session.

B.C. is committed to providing a sustainable coastal ferry service that is safe, reliable and efficient and meets the needs of the people of British Columbia.

Quick Facts:

• The system meets or exceeds targets for most key performance indicators.
• The reliability index is 99.53 per cent, and customer satisfaction is 89 per cent.
• Last year, BC Ferries reported the lowest vehicle numbers in 13 years and the lowest passenger volume in 21 years.
• Last year, most BC Ferries routes operated below 50 per cent capacity on average.
• Government funding is currently more than $180 million - $150 million from the B.C. government and $30 million from the federal government.
• Total taxpayer contribution through to 2016 is almost $800 million.

Media Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241