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British Columbia shipbuilding procurement debate

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2026-09-11 22:51 UTC → 2026-09-12 00:01 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Trade unions and industry leaders in British Columbia continue to advocate for domestic shipbuilding following BC Ferries’ decision to contract China Merchants Weihai Shipyards for four new vessels. The operator previously stated the move would save at least $1 billion compared to local alternatives, noting that while two Canadian shipyards pre-qualified, neither submitted a final proposal. A report from the Centre of Future Work suggests that strengthening the provincial shipbuilding industry could help mitigate the economic impacts of potential U.S. tariffs. Labour economist Jim Stafford noted the study does not aim to “relitigate the previous Chinese contract” but emphasizes the necessity of investing in local labor and facilities. Further analysis commissioned by the Build Them Here coalition argues the outsourcing decision will result in a loss of approximately $1.5 billion in GDP for British Columbia. Economists Jim Stanford, Blair Redlin, and David Fairey estimate the move cedes roughly 10,000 person-years of employment and $413 million in potential federal and provincial tax revenue. In response to these economic concerns, BC Ferries maintained that it could not delay vessel replacement to develop domestic capacity, nor could it pass the additional costs of local procurement onto customers through increased fares. The Build Them Here coalition has since called on Premier David Eby to commit to local production for future ferry rounds and recommended the establishment of a provincial shipbuilding task force to develop necessary capacity, facilities, and workforce.

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