B.C. Ferries to replace advisory committees with a new model in spring

B.C. Ferries says it is replacing its principle model of community feedback, the ferry advisory committee (FAC), which has been the main way the ferry corporation has kept in touch with ferry-reliant communities for over three decades. 

In an interview with Jason D'Souza on CBC All Points West, Jeff Groot, B.C. Ferries's executive director of communications, says at the end of April, the company will begin working with communities  — including FAC members — to design something more broadly representative. 

In a statement issued Monday, B.C. Ferries says an August survey of 5,000 customers found that 81 per cent of people prefer digital engagement compared to eight per cent of respondents who like the current method. 

"We have been talking with our customers through surveys, asking them about how they like to be consulted, and what their expectations are of modern engagement," Groot said. "The vast majority of them have pointed to the need for more digital engagement." 

Groot says that they've heard directly from local governments, nations and customers that the  model that currently exists does not represent them. 

B.C. Ferries expects a new model will replace the existing FACs and keep in-person outreach while also including digital first-opportunities. 

Dianna Mumford, the chair of the southern Sunshine Coast committee says she doesn't believe many people in the committee were surprised by B.C. Ferries' announcement — but she says she was shocked at the way the corporation did it. 

In an interview with Kathryn Marlow on CBC On the Island, Mumford says she can't imagine a new model will be ready and working by May. 

"We could have worked together and not left this huge gap," Mumford said. "They have cut off all of these people and all of this communication process to create something they have no idea what they're going to create." 

Starting in January, Groot says B.C. Ferries will go into communities, including pop-ups at ferry terminals and on ships. He says the corporation will have meetings with FAC members starting now through to the spring so it can make informed decisions and have a model in place for May 1.