‘Build them here’: Union joins chorus of critics to BC Ferries’ China deal

The union representing B.C. ferry workers has joined the chorus of critics opposing a plan to build four new major vessels in a Chinese shipyard.

“What we’re looking to see is both a short-term solution, you know, build these first four ferries in Canada or at least a majority of them in Canada, and then moving to vessels five, six, seven, eight —those should be built in Canada, no question,” said Eric McNeely, president of the B.C. Ferry Marine Workers’ Union.

BC Ferries set off a political firestorm this spring when it announced that it would purchase its next four vessels from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai) after a lengthy open bid process.

No Canadian shipyards bid on the project, and the ferry company says the Chinese bid came in at about $1.2 billion cheape