Federal transportation and infrastructure minister John Baird said he would look into safety concerns raised about B.C. Ferry Services Inc.'s Northern Adventure and Transport Canada's certification process.
“I'm certainly prepared to take the specifics of any specific concerns that were raised and look into them,” Baird said during a visit to Victoria. “Obviously our mandate at Transport Canada, much as it is here in the province, is the safety of the public. And I'll take any particular concerns back to my officials in Ottawa.”
The Tyee reported yesterday that B.C. Ferries Captain David Badior wrote a previously unreleased report in April 2007 that listed numerous concerns about the condition of the Northern Adventure when it was put into service on the northern routes between Port Hardy, Prince Rupert and the Queen Charlotte Islands.
In the report Badior was highly critical of Transport Canada's “substandard inspections” and allowing the vessel to sail before it was ready. "In my opinion there are people at Transport Canada who are negligent in the performance of their duties and should be sacked," he said. "Transport Canada is a joke, actually it isn't because people have died due to their incompetence."
He added, "So much for protecting the public interest."
B.C. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon defended Transport Canada. “I would totally disagree with his characterization of Transport Canada,” he said. “Actually I think if anything Transport Canada finds themselves on the overly cautious side and maybe that's their role.”
Falcon said he has at times met with Badior, who has been promoted to a management position at B.C. Ferries since his report. “At the time he was part of the union and the union would periodically make allegations that the ferries were unsafe,” Falcon said. “I've found no evidence to back that up whatsoever.”
B.C. Ferries bought the Greek-built Northern Adventure after the Queen of the North sank in 2006. Two people, Gerald Foisy and Shirley Rosette, were missing after the sinking, and are presumed drowned.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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frances
2 years ago
Politicians
Minister Baird is nothing more than a very large bag of hot air, and I'm sorry to say the same applies to Mr. Falcon
Van Isle
2 years ago
Minister Baird will find
Minister Baird will find whatever he wants. I would be a lot more interested in what the insurance company's findings are.
Transport_nation
2 years ago
To be clear
One could actually fit all of the bag of hot air Minister Falcon represents inside Baird's wind - bag and it would not make a whit of difference to the barometric pressure of the region.
So Minster Baird will send an email to his Western Regional Advisor who will pass it on to the Deputy or Assistant Deputy Minister. Then that Deputy will get hold of the Director General who will then pass it on to the Western Regional Director of Transport Canada - over on Burrard Street who will go to the public relations department and craft a message and this will be passed back through the chain and Minister Baird will repeat it and Kevin Falcon will say na na nanaaaa.
Nothing ventured nothing gain. A charade.
And thats how it works folks.
Tips for the tour bus driver are always appreciated. Thank you very much.
JStog
2 years ago
insurance company ???
The Watchdog "Transport Canada" has their eyes closed when it comes to BC Ferries certification.
BC ferries had no insurance from my understanding. ie; they're self insured or use to be from past experiances.
Rod Smelser
2 years ago
Falcon sees everything as politics
Kevin Falcon sees everything as politics, party politics. And in the case of the BC Liberals that means framing every issue he can in terms of union versus management, or union versus non-union, whichever frame fits most conveniently.
PeteL
2 years ago
In addition to the above ...
Falcon said. “I've found no evidence to back that up whatsoever.”
But Minister Falcon, you never looked for any evidence did you. Here's a hint, see that rug in the middle of the room ... the one with the lump in it? Yeah, the evidence is under there, along with the BC Rail file and all the other deals the Campbell Liberals have done.
Happy to be of assistance Minister.
Illahie
2 years ago
Northern Adventure Review
I think that a review of Transport Canada's certification process for the Northern Adventure is warranted.
For me, the question is will the results be made public?