Mark Collins will take over from Mike Corrigan as president and CEO of BC Ferries on April 1, and the chair of the Southern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) says Collins will enter the job with a good feel for what matters to travellers on Route 3.
As part of his current job as BCF’s vice president of strategic planning and community engagement, Collins worked with FACs, and he made waves in late 2015 when he declared BC Ferries was no longer willing to talk about fare equity or restoring cut sailings on the Langdale to Horseshoe Bay route.
At the Oct. 27, 2015 meeting Collins stunned Southern Sunshine Coast FAC members by telling them Sunshine Coast residents would have to talk to the provincial government if they want to see any change in service levels going forward, and refused outright to talk about fare equity ever again.
FAC chair Diana Mum-ford told Coast Reporter this week, “We have not always agreed on issues but we understand and respect that each bring different perspectives to the discussion. The FAC believes that Mark now understands that Route 3 is significantly different from other coastal ferry routes. He has clearly acknowledged the concerns by Coastal residents on our poor on-time performance and is currently taking steps within BCF to address these challenges. With Mark now selected as president and CEO, we hope that it will result in positive future decisions for Route 3 and, more importantly, Sunshine Coast residents.”
BCF board chair Donald Hayes praised Collins, who was chosen after a nation-wide search by an outside consultant. “Mark Collins has demonstrated his ability to lead teams and work collaboratively with diverse groups, skills we believe to be vital for the CEO position,” said Hayes.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone added, “Mark takes over an organization that has made significant progress over the last four years, and I know that in his current role as vice-president of strategic planning and community engagement, Mark has had a tremendous influence on that success.”
Outgoing president Mike Corrigan offered similar thoughts.
“The work Mark Collins has done in his role as vice president strategic planning and community engagement has been exemplary,” Corrigan said.
For his part, Collins said safety will be at the top of his agenda, “and I will work with my team to continue to deliver a travel experience for our customers that is reliable, safe and enjoyable, and ensure BC Ferries is viewed as an asset to coastal communities. I look forward to working with the provincial government, the BC Ferry Commission, our employees and ferry-dependent communities to deliver excellent service and an excellent experience.”
Collins will take home a salary that’s about 10 per cent lower than Corrigan’s.
Collins’ pay was set at an annual maximum of $495,000 after a survey of compensation for similar jobs with comparable public sector organizations, as called for in the Coastal Ferry Act.
