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MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Let’s Chat About BC Ferries Vision November 18, 2013 – Victoria, BC – The Chamber commends Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Todd Stone, for producing a cost-savings plan for BC Ferries. Recently, The Chamber initiated a letter writing campaign aimed at the Ministry of Transportation’s efforts to once again consult on BC Ferries services. The effort saw more than 100 letters go directly to the Minister. The government clearly heard and reacted to the recommendation to announce a plan prior to further consultations. The government’s response, to The Chamber’s input and the input of those who wrote the letters, is very positive. “Our concern was that the ministry was going to go back into communities to consult without having a cost-savings plan” said Bruce Carter, The Chamber CEO. “We are pleased that the Province has decided to make the cost-savings plan available for public review.” The Chamber commends the minister on his actions to date on the BC Ferries file. “We know difficult decisions needed to be made and we support a concrete road map to sustainable ferry service,” said Carter. The Chamber policy, Charting a Sustainable Course for BC Coastal Ferry Services was developed early this year and endorsed at the provincial chamber level in May 2013. The policy calls for terminal rationalization, maintaining affordable rates to protect the interest of rate payers, users, and communities among other recommendations developed by The Chamber. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, with over 1,500 members, is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region and has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. -30- Additional Information: Chamber policy: Charting a Sustainable Course for BC Coastal Ferry Services The Chamber: Letter writing campaign on BC Ferries Consultation For more information contact Janet Crocker Bruce Carter Policy & Communications Manager CEO Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Email: jcrocker@victoriachamber.ca Email: bcarter@victoriachamber.ca Phone: (250) 360- 3476 Phone: (250) 360-3470
MEDIA RELEASE
November 18, 2013 – Victoria, BC – The Chamber commends Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Todd Stone, for producing a cost-savings plan for BC Ferries. Recently, The Chamber initiated a letter writing campaign aimed at the Ministry of Transportation’s efforts to once again consult on BC Ferries services. The effort saw more than 100 letters go directly to the Minister. The government clearly heard and reacted to the recommendation to announce a plan prior to further consultations. The government’s response, to The Chamber’s input and the input of those who wrote the letters, is very positive. “Our concern was that the ministry was going to go back into communities to consult without having a cost-savings plan” said Bruce Carter, The Chamber CEO. “We are pleased that the Province has decided to make the cost-savings plan available for public review.” The Chamber commends the minister on his actions to date on the BC Ferries file. “We know difficult decisions needed to be made and we support a concrete road map to sustainable ferry service,” said Carter. The Chamber policy, Charting a Sustainable Course for BC Coastal Ferry Services was developed early this year and endorsed at the provincial chamber level in May 2013. The policy calls for terminal rationalization, maintaining affordable rates to protect the interest of rate payers, users, and communities among other recommendations developed by The Chamber. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, with over 1,500 members, is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region and has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. -30- Additional Information: Chamber policy: Charting a Sustainable Course for BC Coastal Ferry Services The Chamber: Letter writing campaign on BC Ferries Consultation
For more information contact
Janet Crocker Bruce Carter Policy & Communications Manager CEO Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Email: jcrocker@victoriachamber.ca Email: bcarter@victoriachamber.ca Phone: (250) 360- 3476 Phone: (250) 360-3470