As his exit from provincial politics nears, North Coast MLA Gary Coons has been replaced as the NDP critic for BC Ferries and Coastal Communities.
It was announced on Feb. 21 that NDP leader Adrian Dix had appointed Esquimalt – Royal Roads MLA Maurine Karagianis to the portfolio. According to Karagianis, there needs to be a change in how the former Crown Corporation is run.
"As we move closer to the election, the future of BC Ferries is a great concern to people in ferry dependent communities. Under the Liberal government we have seen fares skyrocket, ridership drop and service levels reduced," she said.
"We're going to have to take a close look at how to ensure this service remains affordable and accessible to people in coastal communities... B.C. Ferries is a vital part of our provincial transportation infrastructure, and we need to ensure that the service is there to serve our communities, just like bridges, rail and roads."
Coons served as ferry critic for much of his time in office, something Karagianis said she hopes to learn from.
"Gary and I have worked together on this issue in the past and he is going to continue to be a valuable resource to me in the years ahead," she said.