Ferry-building jobs should stay in B.C., says NDP
B.C.'s New Democrats are criticizing B.C. Ferries' admission that three new vessels will likely be built overseas.
The corporation, which is reviewing bids for a multi-million dollar contract to build the large ferries, says Canada can't compete with shipyards in Europe or Asia.
But the NDP says the corporation is shipping millions of dollars out of the country.
NDP leader Carole James says the government still has some responsibility in terms of where the contracts go.
"Why we would take resources that belong to the taxpayers in British Columbia and invest them overseas," she says. "It makes no sense when we have trained workers, a skilled workforce, right here."
- LINK: NDP position
But Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon makes no apologies for the corporation looking beyond Canada's shores.
"I think the lesson we learned through the fast ferry debacle is that government and taxpayers need to be protected to ensure that taxpayers are getting the best possible value," says the minister.
Falcon says he's sure B.C.'s shipbuilders can still win other contracts to build ferries for the corporation.
But the union representing workers says the industry needs big jobs like this latest one to stay in business.