Thank you for that response, Minister.
As you just noted, BC Ferries plays a vital role for many communities in British Columbia, including my own riding of Victoria. I dare say I'm the only member of this committee who regularly travels on BC Ferries—I've ridden the ferry twice this week—so this is something that is near and dear to our hearts and livelihoods here on Vancouver Island and all over southern B.C.
My constituents regularly face struggles with aging ferries, service delays and the costs associated with those—costs for both BC Ferries itself but also individual consumers, who lose time with their families if they get stuck on ferries or delayed by sailings because there aren't enough vessels to meet the demand that we have here on the coast.
I'm certainly concerned, as you are, that BC Ferries chose not to build these new vessels in Canada. However, I'm also deeply aware that we desperately need new ferries in order to meet the needs of British Columbians, and I'm concerned about the prospect of delaying the replacement of the aging fleet that, really, we rely on here.
I note that my Conservative colleagues really are playing politics here with what is critical infrastructure and service in British Columbia, and they seem intent on stopping the delivery of new ferries to B.C. in order to fulfill their aim of reducing government support for major transportation projects in Canada. In that vein, could you please share with this committee how, in your capacity as Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, you and your team will support British Columbians and BC Ferries, who are concerned about the aging ferry fleet and are deeply focused on the need for reinvestment in ferry service in order to meet the needs in our daily lives?