Podcasts about BC Ferries

How you get on and off the ferry can make a big difference in your experience. This week, we'll hear from a BC Ferries terminal attendant on what goes into guiding your car onto each vessel, as well as what Swartz Bay foot passengers think could make the walk-on experience better.

BC Ferries is introducing a 5% fuel surcharge to their sailings and it's hitting passengers right in the wallet! Is artificial intelligence to blame for the recession? Even the POPE is weighing in on the subject! A Coquitlam pedestrian was ticketed for walking TOO slowly at a crosswalk! The guy says he'll fight it in court, but is the law on his side? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabriola Island Travel Guide: British Columbia's Peaceful Gulf Island Escape + Camping, Cafes & BeachesIn this immersive episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I head over to beautiful Gabriola Island in British Columbia for a peaceful weekend of camping, beaches, coffee shops, sunsets, ferries, and slow island living. Located just off the coast of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Gabriola is one of BC's hidden gems and the perfect nature escape from Vancouver.Gabriola Island is a scenic, tranquil Gulf Island in British Columbia, Canada, located just a 25-minute ferry ride from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Known as the "Isle of the Arts," the island is celebrated for its lush forests, rugged coastline, and vibrant community of working artists.This episode is a mix of travel guide, solo storytelling, and immersive soundscape audio as I share exactly how to get to Gabriola Island, ferry costs, campsite information, what to do on the island, where to eat and drink coffee, and why this laid-back Gulf Island completely won me over.From camping at Descanso Bay Regional Park and relaxing at Sandwell Provincial Park to visiting local cafes like Mad Rona's and Ground Up Cafe, this trip was packed with wholesome moments, nature, and plenty of ocean views. I also share practical travel tips, ferry advice from Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo, and honest thoughts on whether Gabriola Island is worth visiting.If you're planning a weekend getaway in British Columbia, looking for Gulf Islands travel inspiration, or simply want an immersive travel podcast experience, this episode is for you.Support Winging It Travel PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode:⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit

De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - Lately, Cortes Islanders have been frustrated by the number of large trucks appearing in the ferry lineups in both directions on the Quadra/Cortes run. In particular, the number of gravel-hauling truck/trailer rigs has been the subject of comment and complaint. These oversize vehicles take up as many as five regular car spaces, and when combined with the usual number of food delivery trucks and Quadra Builders' regular hi-ab flatbed runs, some feel the “commercials” are taking up more than their share of deck space. Certainly the morning lineups on Quadra, inbound to Cortes, are very long indeed and contain many heavy trucks. When the gravel trucks head for Cortes with a full load, they also weigh so much that the ferry may reach its weight limit before the car deck is filled, thus further displacing passenger cars from much-coveted ferry space. Residents say there have been an unusual number of gravel truck/trailer trips recently due to some major construction activity on the island. I travelled from Quadra to Cortes on Friday morning May 22nd, and (wisely) put my car in the line-up at Heriot Bay the night before. Even at 8pm on the previous night there were already two gravel haulers lined up. By 8am they had been joined by two large refrigerator trucks, a large flatbed, and two pieces of heavy earth moving equipment moving under their own power. These oversize and overweight vehicles took up at least three quarters of the ferry deck on that first inbound run, leaving a substantial overload behind. The situation is not ideal, but some BC Ferries staff believe relief is in sight. One BC Ferries worker told me that when the new Island Class ferry takes over the Cortes/Quadra run this summer, the “truck problem” will improve: Not only will the new boat have more deck space, I was told, but it has a much higher weight limit as well. The Island Nagalis will transition to Route 24 between Quadra – Cortes Island by summer 2026, replacing the Tachek and increasing vehicle capacity from 26 to 47 and passengers and crew space from 150 to 399.  The unpopular gravel truck/trailer rigs making so many daily trips in recent weeks may help to win community support for the controversial Whaletown quarry expansion proposal currently being reviewed by provincial ministries. Almost all Cortes Islanders acknowledge that it makes good sense to use local gravel and free up more ferry deck space for passenger cars, yet many remain critical of what they see as the disproportionate scale of the proposal and its lack of environmental review. Most recently, FOCI has gone on record as opposing the proposal as currently submitted. With some island builders choosing not to use Whaletown gravel due to quality issues or a preference for dealing off-island, and with construction projects apparently increasing in scope, islanders can only hope that the BC Ferries staff are right -- that the Island Class ferry will offer enough of a capacity boost to make sure passenger vehicles get their share of deck space.

With just weeks to go before Vancouver hosts FIFA World Cup matches at BC Place, residents and businesses in the downtown core are preparing for major disruptions The future of one of Burnaby's best-known community performance venues is getting a temporary lifeline. In anticipation of the busy summer travel season ahead, BC Ferries is outlining how the company is preparing to deliver smooth, safe, and reliable service for travelers along BC's coast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new study from the British Columbia Medical Journal found that nearly two-thirds of orthopedic surgeons say they are burned out. BC Ferries is reversing their decision to ban immobile EVs from boarding. A crow with a broken beak holds her own and has a whole community rallying behind her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Youth unemployment is rising in Canada, according to a new Fraser Institute report. Bowen Island says BC Ferries should foot the bill for infrastructure needed to support ferry operation. The case for privatizing airports, what would that look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manitoba is implementing a social media ban for kids under 16. Should BC follow suit? We bring on outspoken former MP Charlie Angus to get his thoughts on the current Canada/US trade war. With the cost-of-living crisis hurting young people right in the wallet, should students get a discount on BC Ferries? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The drama between the US and Iran continues to rattle global stock markets. What is Trump's end game here? PLUS, the data is in, and the most congested part of Vancouver is the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge! Is more transit the solution to reducing traffic in the city? And finally, the recent BC Ferries pickle debacle raises an important question: Is the customer always right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Eby tried to repeal parts of DRIPA, but he couldn't even get the support from his own MLAs, so he's now backed down. The FIFA World Cup is just weeks away, and the city of Vancouver still hasn't addressed how they're going to handle the homeless population. And finally, BC Ferries has put themselves in a pickle... because of a pickle! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US and Iran come to a ceasefire deal, but are cracks already starting to form? BC Ferries says sorry for another brutal long weekend. Apology accepted… now what's the fix? And the hits keep coming for B.C.'s credit rating, how much lower can it go? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Trump's threats towards Iran are escalating, and many people are now questioning the state of his mental health. Chaos at BC Ferries! The Easter long weekend was rife with issues and multiple-sailing waits. How can they improve future operations? Would you be willing to pay more to use the ferry? Guest: Keith Baldrey - Global News Legislative Bureau Chief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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A slew of issues has plagued BC Ferries during the Easter long weekend, and it's been nearly impossible to get ahold of them. Guest: Keith Baldrey - Global News Legislative Bureau Chief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

B.C.'s premier met with First Nations leaders to discuss planned amendments to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The amendments will suspend certain sections of DRIPA, to be introduced after Easter break. What the heck is happening with BC Ferries? Between long-weekend demands and vessels breaking down, it's proving to be a tough time for passengers. When we text more, we speak less, and It's starting to show. New data shows Americans are speaking roughly 300 fewer words per day each year, adding up to 120,000+ fewer spoken words annually. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BC Ferries has another disastrous long weekend, how are the coastal communities dealing with it? A tax expert joins us to talk about how changes to the property tax deferral program may unexpected impacts. Another major Aboriginal land claim decision out of the B.C. Court of Appeal, what does this mean for future land claims decisions across the country? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cancelled sailings on yet another long weekend - is BC Ferries a sinking ship? Poilievre pushes to slash gas taxes. Real relief, or politics at the pump? Premier Eby hits pause on DRIPA for three years. Big shift or kicking the can? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Vancouver mayor and senator Larry Campbell says his work in the Downtown Eastside began as a “depressing and traumatic experience,” but that his perspective has shifted as he's seen signs of new housing and what he describes as a “vibrancy” returning to the neighbourhood. Canada's craft brewing industry is raising a glass to new federal tax measures that aim to give small and independent breweries some financial breathing room. BC Ferries says sailing disruptions due to a generator problem in one ship earlier this week will reverberate through the Easter long weekend on one busy route. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A ferry announcement about whales comes over the tannoy and suddenly the cafeteria empties, the crew step away from their tasks, and everyone presses to the windows. That shared pause is the heartbeat of slow travel, and it's why Adventurer Phoebe Smith takes you onboard BC Ferries' “Milk Run” from Vancouver Island up through Canada's Inside Passage. This isn't a floating resort. It's a working supply route that carries food, freight and locals between remote Indigenous coastal communities and, for travellers, it's one of the most affordable ways to see humpbacks, orcas, sea lions and wild, rain-soaked shorelines.Also coming up:Author of All My Wild Mothers and new book The Apothecary by the Sea: A Year in an Orkney Garden and self-confessed wild woman Victoria 'Vik' Bennett Travel Hack: how to travel on a budget without being a backpacker Top 10 of the best ferry rides in the worldMeet the woman who's been making an audio record of women adventurers – of all ages, shapes and sizes – with her Tough Girl Podcast for the past 10 years, Sarah WilliamsGear chat: what to pack for a scenic ferry rideIsobel Gunn – who in 1806 passed herself off as a man and inadvertantly becoming the first European woman to travel to Rupert's Land, now part of Western Canada – is our Wander Woman of the Month.If you enjoy travel stories with substance, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.Contact Wander Womanwww.Phoebe-Smith.com; @PhoebeRSmith

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Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Construction on the BC Ferries Heriot Bay–Whaletown route will soon be coming to an end, and we will probably have a brand-new-to-us hybrid electric ferry this summer. Sheila Reynolds, Senior Communications Advisor with BC Ferries, explained: “Construction at the terminals actually began last spring to replace both berths at Heriot Bay and Whaletown, which were both nearing the end of their service lives and needed replacing.” “While the majority of that work over the past year didn't disrupt ferry service, the project did require that both terminals be closed for three weeks in February. Since March 2, both of the terminals have been replaced and are safely open to customers, with regular service between Quadra and Cortes operating as usual. During the closures, people would have noticed that there was water taxi service, shuttle, bus service, and barge service for essential goods and services.” “We're well aware that these disruptions and construction in the community can be unnerving or cause some anxieties for people, but your communities were very collaborative. It went remarkably smoothly, actually. There weren't any significant hiccups. Passengers seemed to get back and forth as needed. They did have a lot of lead times where people were pretty well prepared and aware, but the smoothness was largely due to the Quadra and Cortes communities, who are not only patient, but extremely collaborative throughout the planning, construction and during those temporary service changes. It was clear people understood and appreciated that this short-term disruption was going to result in long-term improvement.” Cortes Currents: How did they help out? Sheila Reynolds: “We are collaborating with all sorts of partners—residents, Indigenous partners, contractors, regional stakeholders. There were lots of conversations about how the closure period could be shortened, because originally it was going to be a longer closure period and potentially more disruptive. “With the upgrades, the load limit is now increased to the highway-legal limit of 63,500 kilograms. That's actually double the capacity of the old berths. Both berths also have hydraulic lifts, so they won't be subject to tidal restrictions that the route used to experience with very low tides. The ramps are much wider, so trucks will be able to maneuver at Whaletown much more easily. For foot passengers, it's a wider pathway, so people with bikes and luggage or other things will find it easier to navigate on and off of the vessels. And most importantly, the berths are designed to accommodate the arrival of the 'new-to-you' larger Island Nagalis.”

A delayed BC Ferries maintenance project has surged past $168 million, attracting attention about oversight as costs rival nationally significant shipyard investments.   Read the full article here: https://www.coastalfront.ca/read/bc-ferries-redevelopment-42m-over-budget-failed-redaction-shows   PODCAST INFO:

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents -Work on the Heriot Bay and Whaletown ferry terminals is proceeding faster than expected, and the much-anticipated shutdown of service on the Cortes to Quadra run has been shortened to three weeks. Cortes Island's new hydroelectric ferry could arrive as early as late spring or summer of 2026. The Cortes and Campbell River ferries could both be fully electric earlier than previously expected. The key word for both of those last items is ‘could' because they are possibilities, not promises. In this morning's interview, Sheila Reynolds from BC Ferries gave Cortes Currents an update on the scheduling for our area.

We begin with Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim's promise to save the city money! Fury on BC Ferries! Multiple crew members say they've experienced violent threats from passengers! How's holiday shopping looking like this upcoming season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off a court appearance, Kyla and Paul cover BC's October 1 snow-tire rule and how routine compliance stops can lawfully lead to mandatory breath demands, then dig into the compounding chaos from ongoing job action: IRP hearings cancelled or pushed without consultation, a court petition filed and served, and a tentative hardship path for temporary licences while the case waits on tribunal reasons. They flag new confusion over where to pay tickets after ICBC reportedly stopped accepting payments, the ripple effects of a Canada Post strike on prohibition notices, licence and insurance renewals, and traffic-court scheduling, plus potential knock-on disruptions from sympathy actions like BC Ferries. To close out spooky season, the Ridiculous Driver of the Week is a real-life “phantom” — the helmeted F1 look-alike finally nabbed in his driveway after years of blasting along Czech highways. Check out the 'Lawyer Told Me Not To Talk To You' T-shirts and hoodies at Lawyertoldme.com and 'Sit Still Jackson' at sitstilljackson.com

Author Gad Saad told a House of Commons science committee that DEI hiring in science has no effect on the researcher's capacity to make scientific discoveries. Several industry leaders in Canada are piling on to the ongoing criticism of public funds granted to a Chinese shipyard to build ferries in British Columbia. Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault pledged to investigate a Montreal Magazine that receives public funds after it published a hit piece on U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk just a day after his assassination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan McTeague, former Liberal MP, joins LeDrew to discuss the shocking deal that saw over a billion dollars of Canadian taxpayer money go to a Chinese military manufacturer to build ferries for BC. Despite Canada having the technology and resources to build these ships domestically, the government decided to outsource the project, leaving Canadians in the dark. Dan explains how this decision happened, why ministers claim to know nothing about it, and why the media has largely ignored the story. Watch as they uncover the lack of accountability and the behind-the-scenes politics that led to this disastrous deal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nova Scotia Town to SHUT OFF WATER to Residents — David Eby's BC Ferries LIES BLOW UP in His FaceSend a one-time contribution to the show - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XARF5X38AMZULListen to our Podcast on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elev8podcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elev8podcast X: https://twitter.com/TheElev8Podcast0:00 - Intro1:22 - Nova Scotia Town Threatens to Cut off Water11:25 - Conservatives EXPOSE Eby's Lies about BC Ferries

Jobs, Economic Growth and BC Ferries Subsidies Guest: Ravi Khalon, BC Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every once in a while, frustrated ferry users bring up the idea of a “fixed link” - a bridge or tunnel that would permanently connect Vancouver Island to the rest of B.C. It came up this week as discussions drag on about the new ships that BC Ferries has ordered from a shipyard in China. So on this week's episode: what would it take to build a bridge or tunnel?

The House of Commons Transportation Committee is set to investigate the Liberal government's funding for four new BC Ferries vessels, which are being built by a Chinese state-owned shipyard. A European company is criticizing Canada over a defence contract for allegedly favoring a U.S. supplier. Finance Minister Champagne tasked Liberal cabinet ministers with finding “ambitious” savings before the Carney government's 2025 budget in September. Tune into The Daily Brief with Cosmin Dzsurdzsa and Alex Zoltan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC.

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC, the Health Sciences Association of BC, and the British Columbia School Trustees Association.

View From Victoria: $1Billion and the BC Ferries Fiasco Guest: Reggie Cecchini, Washington Correspondent for Global News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the special one-hour season finale of This is VANCOLOUR — featuring B.C. Premier David Eby! Host Mo Amir presses the Premier on some of his government's most controversial decisions: walking back the promised grocery rebate; greenlighting a BC Ferries shipbuilding contract awarded to a Chinese shipyard; and pushing through Bills 14 and 15 despite vocal opposition from external stakeholders, including some First Nations leaders. Plus, is Premier Eby trolling John Rustad and the Conservative Party of BC? And is the Premier actually a fan of Vancouver rapper bbno$?Recorded: June 20, 2025

Freeland Caught LYING—Betrays Premier David Eby in Last-Ditch Effort to Save her political career and looks as if she cares for Canadian Jobs. She allowed $1B to be sent to China for BC Ferries!Send a one-time contribution to the show - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XARF5X38AMZULListen to our Podcast on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elev8podcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elev8podcast X: https://twitter.com/TheElev8Podcast

Measles outbreak on BC Ferries Guest: Dr. Brian Conway, President and Medical Director at Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canada just reported the third lowest quarter for population growth since the 1950s. Rents falling as rental housing construction remains elevated. National housing sales pickup in May. Elbows down, BC Ferries sell out to China. Gas cars are poised to get more expensive in Canada. Too late Powell, Fed holds rates. Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings. Visit https://www.neighbourhoodholdings.com/looniehour to learn more!Get an online home insurance quote in 5 minutes!Visit squareone.ca/looniehour and get a $20 account credit today!Check out Saily at saily.com/looniehour and use our promo code 'LOONIEHOUR' to get 15% off your first purchase!Subscribe to Ben Rabidoux's work at Edge Analytics - Regular price $50/mo. Loonie Hour listeners lock it in at $30/mo with code OG-30: https://www.edgeanalytics.ca

Hotel Pacifico was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as FortisBC and the Health Sciences Association of BC.

BC Ferries announced that it gave contracts to build four new ships to a Chinese firm, sparking debate about security and the commitment to “Buy Canadian.”   Read the full article here: https://www.coastalfront.ca/read/bc-ferries-chooses-chinese-firm-to-build-new-ships   PODCAST INFO:

View From Victoria: BC Ferries fallout continues Guest: Rob Shaw, Political Correspondent for CHEK News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to UnSpun — the fast-talking podcast and YouTube show where Jody Vance and George Affleck strip away the spin from politics, policy, and daily headlines.In this episode, we go from local wildfires to global trade wars, with a pit stop at Vancouver's controversial development debates and BC Ferries' tone-deaf decisions:

View From Victoria: BC Ferries accepts bid from China Guest: Rob Shaw, Political Correspondent for CHEK News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BC Ferries outlines its challenges ahead of what is likely to be a busy summer travel season. The corporation says it is ready for high passenger traffic. Silas White, the mayor of Gibsons, discusses the demand for ferry services in coastal communities as we ask viewers if BC Ferries meets their needs.

How will BC Ferries' new policies impact Islanders? Guest: Leonard Krog, Mayor of Nanaimo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should BC hospitals implement weapon detection systems? Guest: Adriane Gear, President of the BC Nurses' Union Calls grow for an inquest into the deaths of 3 Indigenous women Guest: Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs Why do people have different tastes in music? Guest: Dr. Jane Kuehne, Associate Professor of Music Education at Auburn University What can we expect from Carney's meeting with Trump? Guest: Dr. John Kirton, Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto Why do so many people struggle with procrastination? Guest: Fuschia Sirois, Psychologist at the University of Durham UK and author of Procrastination: What It Is, Why It's a Problem, and What You Can Do About It How will BC Ferries' new policies impact Islanders? Guest: Leonard Krog, Mayor of Nanaimo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Vancouver City Council approve the Jericho Lands development? GUEST: Pete Fry, Green Party Vancouver City Councillor PWHL expands to Vancouver: The rise of women's sports leagues GUEST: Donna Spencer, Sports Reporter for The Canadian Press based in  Calgary How will BC Ferries manage their aging fleet? GUEST: Rob Shaw, CHEK News Political Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

View From Victoria: Another wake up call for BC Ferries Guest: Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun Columnist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GUEST:Geri Mayer-Judson, Show Contributor & Talia Miller, Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices