88 INTERVIEW Keeping Canada connected Serge Buy of the Canadian Ferry Association explains to Rebecca Gibson why federal investment and supplier partnerships are key to growing Canada’s ferry system and its ship building and repair sector Canada’s ferry network transports more than 70 million passengers every year, serving a wide range of needs for tourists and people living in urban, rural and remote communities across the country. Ferries on inland waterways and the Saint Lawrence River, for instance, act as critical ‘bridges’ between communities, enabling Canadians to live and work where they choose. Similarly, they become a vital lifeline in the Northern and Prairie regions each spring when the ice bridges melt and it is no longer safe for people to travel across the frozen waterways. Meanwhile, Vancouver’s SeaBus serves millions of commuters annually and provides essential transportation support during major events, such as the 2010 Winter Olympics. In total, passenger, freight and mixed-use ferries operate more than 180 publicly and privately operated routes across Canada. “The ferries carry Canadians to work, school and medical appointments, and they support tourism by offering dependable transportation,” says Serge Buy, CEO of the Canadian Ferry Association (CFA). “Many communities, such as those living on Newfoundland, rely on ferries to deliver groceries, building supplies and other necessities. It’s therefore essential to have a safe, efficient and reliable ferry system across Canada.” Promoting the development of safe and dependable ferry services is the overarching goal of the CFA, which represents over 90 Canadian ferry owners, operators and industry stakeholders. “CFA is the national voice of Canada’s ferry sector and advocates for the industry on the issues that matter most,” says Buy. “We engage directly with the federal government on topics such as safety, infrastructure and operational funding, the approval of new products and innovation. Plus, we collaborate with Canadian companies and organisations – and international partners – who provide goods and services to the ferry sector.” One of CFA’s priorities is to strengthen Canada’s capacity to build and repair ferries domestically. While a “good portion” of smaller ferries are already produced in the country, medium to large vessels are often constructed abroad. Buy attributes this to three key challenges: severe shortages of skilled labourers, significantly higher construction costs, and large shipyards already being at capacity due to the federal government’s current shipbuilding strategy. However, he believes there “ It’s vital to invest in Canada’s ship repair and maintenance capacity” TransLink’s SeaBus provides passenger-only ferry services across the Burrard Inlet to connect the cities of Vancouver and North Vancouver Photo: TransLink
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