Hello Everyone,

We are currently waiting for the Chair of The Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce to join forces with the Chambers of Chemainus, Ladysmith and hopefully Duncan in putting together a Joint Communique to demonstrate to BC Ferries how vital Route 6 Vesuvius Bay - Crofton is to our Communities. Not only from the standpoint of the Transportation of Goods and Services but the Medical Services that the Mid Island provides our Community.

As far as garnering the Support of the Chair of Ferry Advisory Committee, our CRD Director and the one Islands Trust Trustee whom both sit on the FAC. Garnering their support is like herding feral cats. We have a very plausible and cost effective plan for BC Ferries and it seems the FAC feels that by increasing the Service at Fulford Harbour during June July and August using the MV Quinitsa will help solve our Traffic Gridlock at Vesuvius Bay and Crofton Terminals. Perhaps to a degree. However a year round 2 Ferry Service on Route 6 designed to meet peak demand on a daily basis is truly a cost effective game changer for BCF.

That's the disappointing part in this whole endeavour. Our Ferry Service on Route 4 & 6 has been neglected for over a decade. Have a look at the Ferry Advisory Committees on the BC Ferries Website. In particular  Gabriola Island and the Southern Gulf Islands both with Populations of 4100 and 4600 respectively. You'll quickly discover that these two Committees are very active at engaging BC Ferries and documenting it as required under the BC Ferries Terms of Reference on their Website. Then go to the Salt Spring FAC, there's very little in terms of transparency. Our Committee is simply in-affective when it comes to engaging our Community for our Ferry Transportation needs. Their response to this Petition sadly show's their indifference to positive change and an air of arrogance to the real issues within our Community when it comes to Essential Ferry Services at both Terminals. 

Meanwhile Gabriola Island - Population 4100 has 2 New Island Class Ferries coming on at $50 Million a piece with the necessary infrastructure improvements. About to be commissioned in the next two months. The MV Aurora is operating in conjunction with the MV Quinsam this week on a shake down operation. 

Then there's the Southern Gulf Islands Route 5 - Population 4600. The Mayne Queen is being retired and a New Salish Class Vessel is being Commissioned at a cost of $95 Million. The Salish Heron has a capacity of 138 Vehicles. Apparently BCF CEO Mark Collins advised that Sailing Waits will be a thing of the past. That's great news for our neighbours. Now this is interesting, the Queen of Cumberland capacity 112 vehicles will service Route 5a to Saturna Island among other services.  

Once we are on the backside of the Omicron Virus, traffic will return in numbers on Route 6. We've demonstrated that with the traffic data from June through October 2021. Traffic is up by 19% from 2019 pre- pandemic levels. 

Our FAC Chair, CRD Director and Islands Trust Trustee have a golden opportunity to affect positive change and mitigate traffic gridlock at Fulford Harbour, Vesuvius Bay and Crofton Terminals. Call or write the above 3 individuals if you feel this point needs to be reinforced. 

Thank you all for making this Petition a huge success. Will it bear results with BC Ferries? No doubt with the help and support of the above Elected Officials. 

Best Regards, The Patrons of Route 6.