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Throne speech promises to hold line on ferry fares

The Horgan government’s throne speech highlighted fare freezes and reductions at BC Ferries as one of the ways the NDP minority has been “reducing costs and fees,” but didn’t offer any hints about whether it would continue beyond the end of fiscal ye
Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin
Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin

The Horgan government’s throne speech highlighted fare freezes and reductions at BC Ferries as one of the ways the NDP minority has been “reducing costs and fees,” but didn’t offer any hints about whether it would continue beyond the end of fiscal year that starts April 1.

“Last year, government froze ferry fares on major routes, reduced fares on non-major routes, and brought back the 100 per cent weekday seniors’ passenger fare discount,” Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin told the Legislature on Tuesday.

“This year, government will maintain its freeze on ferry fares for major routes, and discounts on minor and northern routes, helping the 22 million passengers who use BC Ferries each year.”

Reducing and freezing fares has not been without a cost to the provincial treasury.

According to BC Ferries, implementing the freezes and reductions, as well as the free travel for seniors, was expected to cost $98 million for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2020, which begins April 1 and runs to March 31, 2020. “Of this amount, $78 million is for fare reductions, of which BC Ferries is contributing $39 million. The Province is contributing the remaining $59 million for fare reductions and increased B.C. seniors’ discounts,” the company said last year.

Much of the rest of the throne speech was also around the theme of making life more affordable, with promises to unveil a poverty reduction strategy, enshrine universal daycare into law, and prevent British Columbians from being gouged by ticket scalpers, predatory payday lenders and high cellphone bills.

The throne speech also acknowledged that public trust has been shaken because of the spending scandal that has rocked the B.C. legislature.

The government promised to work with the legislative assembly to implement reforms that restore trust in the legislature.

In an attempt to address the housing crisis, the government pointed to the 17,000 homes being built with government grants, including on-campus homes for students, Indigenous housing on and off reserves, housing for women and children fleeing domestic violence, and affordable rentals for families.

The speech pledged to continue reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples and this year, B.C. will be the first province in Canada to implement the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

- With files from Katie DeRosa, Victoria Times Colonist