Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison has called for a meeting with BC’s Minister of Transportation to address the “critical situation facing Harrop-Procter residents as the essential ferry service faces service cuts.”
This comes after the BC General Employees Union issued a 24-hour strike notice on Friday, announcing its intention to include the Harrop and Glade ferries in the strike action that has been affecting the Kootenay Lake Ferry since November 3.
An update posted to the Harrop-Proctor Ferry Committee’s website states that the BCGEU will begin following the requirements of the Amended Essential Services Order on the ferries at 6:30 am on January 5.
The job action is a concern for Conservative MP Rob Morrison, who says over 600 Harrop-Procter residents rely on the 24/7 ferry to access essential medical care, employment, education, and basic supplies.
“The Harrop-Procter and Kootenay Lake ferries should both be deemed an essential service. A lot of the people who live in these communities are seniors; they need medical care, and it’s just frustrating that the provincial government isn’t recognizing how important these transportation services are for the residents.”
While the ferry strike is a provincial matter, Morrison says he has contacted the Ministry of Transportation directly to request a meeting and explain how critical the ferry services are to the region.
“What I can do is explain to the minister—who doesn’t live in this area—what’s actually happening. My constituents here are the same as those of the NDP MLA in the region, and they’ve reached out to me asking what I can do. As a federal representative, I can at least say, ‘Listen, here are some of the issues we’re facing, here are the concerns, and we need to fix this. This is an essential service.’”
Morrison also wants the Kootenay Lake Ferry to be designated as an essential service, pointing out that residents rely on the ferry as a safe and reliable means of travel, especially during winter.
“The unpredictable weather on the Salmo-Creston Pass can put residents and travelers at unnecessary risk during the winter months,” Morrison says. “We need to prioritize the safety of everyone in the area.”
Morrison says he stand behind both the residents and ferry workers and is calling for a swift resolution, blaming inflation and government overspending for driving up costs across the board.
“It’s no surprise we’ve reached this point on wages. Both our community members and ferry workers deserve better. We need to get this resolved and return to normal service immediately.”
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