US Edition
Canada Transport Minister Freeland ‘dismayed’ by BC Ferries deal with Chinese company
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, JUN 21 – Federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland criticizes BC Ferries' $1 billion cheaper contract with a Chinese state-owned shipyard amid concerns over national security and lack of Canadian content.
- Earlier this month, B.C. Ferries awarded a contract to China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards for the construction of four new major ships to expand its passenger fleet.
- The five-year procurement process did not attract Canadian bids, prompting federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland to express concern over security risks and lack of Canadian content mandate.
- B.C. Ferries indicated that the proposal from the Chinese shipyard outperformed other bids by a wide margin and emphasized that security remains paramount, with all sensitive systems to be procured separately and subjected to independent certification before deployment.
- Freeland wrote to B.C. Minister Mike Farnworth demanding assurances of a robust risk assessment and confirmation no federal funds support the purchase, noting $37.8 million subsidy and $75 million loan for zero-emission ferries.
- Farnworth is reviewing Freeland’s letter and discussed strengthening the province's shipbuilding sector, while Premier David Eby promised cooperation to build local vessel capacity in the future.
62 Articles
62 Articles
Canada Transport Minister Freeland ‘Dismayed’ by BC Ferries Deal With Chinese Company
Canada’s transport minister says she is “dismayed” BC Ferries contracted a Chinese state-owned shipyard to build four new vessels in the current geopolitical context that includes “unjustified” tariffs on Canada. Chrystia Freeland, in a letter to her B.C. counterpart Mike Farnworth, said she expects BC Ferries to inform her of all measures it plans to take to “mitigate any security risks,” including cybersecurity problems that might arise. BC Fe…
The Federal Minister of Transport said she was "dismayed" that BC Ferries had entrusted the construction of four new ships to a Chinese shipyard.
castanet.net
Federal Transport Minister Freeland 'dismayed' about choice of Chinese shipyard
Federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland says she is "dismayed" that BC Ferries has contracted a Chinese state-owned shipyard to build four new vessels in the current geopolitical context that includes "unjustified" tariffs on Canada.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
