Over the course of the next eight years, ferry services in Eastern Canada will get $1.3 billion of federal funding, supporting things like new terminals and replacement vessels.

And out here in B.C. our ferry service wasn’t even mentioned in the 532-page budget released on Thursday..

Eric McNeely with the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union says this isn’t the first time there’s been funding disparities between the two coasts.

“Marine Atlantic carries about 360,000 people and B.C. Ferries, 23 million. You compare that and the funding disparity is pretty obvious,” said McNeely.

A release from the union says Ottawa covers about 43 per cent of operating costs for Atlantic ferry services and only three per cent of BC Ferries thanks to an agreement from 1977.

Plus, last year the federal government cut fares on Atlantic ferries in half to encourage commerce and travel. Meanwhile, British Columbians are facing price hikes.

“Through public releases and annual general meetings, we might be facing a 30 per cent increase in ticket prices.”

According to McNeely, the federal government’s rationale for these funding differences is partly because BC Ferries is a privately owned corporation.

Then, there’s the fact that Atlantic ferries cross to other provinces whereas in B.C., we don’t. But, McNeely isn’t buying that argument. 

“Does that mean Vancouver Island should become its own province and that would adjust federal funding?”

Even though BC Ferries has had some challenges lately – like dismissing its former CEO – McNeely supports having an accountability lever in exchange for more funding.

And while he says this 2026 budget was a missed opportunity, he’s hopeful the federal government will reconsider its decision.

“At the end of the day, all the ferry systems are moving Canadians and helping the Canadian economy”

CityNews Vancouver reached out to Transport Canada for comment but didn’t hear back in time for deadline.