They must be starting to wonder if the mainland really wants them anymore, besides the current troubles with Canada Post over mail delivery, residents of Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlottes are still expressing concern with the rather casual attitude that BC Ferries is showing them.
Of urgent concern for residents of the Islands is the planned schedule change and service disruption just ahead of this February’s All Native Basketball Tournament, which sees a pair of deadlines, construction work on the Skidegate dock and the opening ceremonies for the tournament running much too close for comfort.
Wednesday’s Daily News features two articles on the frustrating state of affairs for the island residents when it comes to their relationship with the Ferry corporation.
Islanders feeling washed up over ferry loss
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Pages one and seven
The hype is already building as Prince Rupert approaches the opening date for the 50th annual All-Native Basketball Tournament this coming February. And because it is the 50th, the ANBT is scheduled to be longer lasting, to allow as many teams as possible who wish to compete time to take part, as well as allow time for all to participate in what is being referred to as a "cultural celebration" that will take place on Fri., Feb. 6.
The only problem is that one particular nation that has been a staple at this tournament since its inception is being hampered by a decision by BC Ferries to shut down the Skidegate-to-Prince Rupert sailing from Jan. 2 until Feb. 7, leaving the Haida scrambling for alternate solutions to get to the tournament.
"Guys are worried," said Skidegate's Masters team coach Kevin Borserio. "That's what's in the back of our minds, and we have to deal with this."
Skidegate traditionally sends a Masters, Senior Men's, and Intermediates team to the tournament, and, of course, the village of Skidegate usually empties at this time, as the fans also travel to Rupert for the annual tournament.
But they aren't alone, as the Haida nation also always sends four teams from Old Massett, including a women's team in addition to Intermediates, Masters, and Senior Men's.
All those teams and fans are now wondering how they will get to the ANBT.
Arnie Bellis, vice president of the Council for the Haida Nation and long-time coach for the Old Massett Guardians, said that everyone on Haida Gwaii is wondering how they are going to get over to Rupert for the tournament.
"Of course we're concerned about that, everyone is," he said.
BC Ferries has stated that the company will offer air service to some affected passengers during that time period, and they've also hinted that the work on the ferry dock in Skidegate could be completed earlier than the Feb. 7 deadline.
But everyone on the North Coast is aware how winter storms can affect timelines, and Borserio wonders how that will impact the ferry schedule.
"We talked about it last week, and we're going to need more fundraising," he said. "It's going to cost tens of thousands of dollars to get everyone over there."
Hansen hears calls for ferry fare reductions
By George T. Baker and Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Page one
Colin Hansen would not guarantee Skidegate-to-Prince Rupert ferry users a February-extension for the 33 per cent ferry fare reduction imposed on BC Ferries by the province last week.
Hansen said he had heard the concerns of locals on Monday morning about the two-month reduction but that no formal announcement regarding an extension was imminent.
"This was something that was brought to my attention by All-Native Basketball Tournament president Clarence Martin and it's a suggestion that I will take back to discuss with my colleague Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon," said Hansen.
North Coast MLA and ferries critic for the NDP Gary Coons wants the pressure to stay on the provincial government to ensure that the extension is given to North Coast ferry users.
Coons wrote to B.C. premier Gordon Campbell last week seeking an extension to the ferry fare reduction time-frame.
Coons wrote: "Specifically, I would like to know if users of the route between the Queen Charlotte Islands and Prince Rupert will entirely miss out on the fare decreases, which you have announced for January, given that ferry services are scheduled to be completely absent during that time. In the interests of fairness, will your government apply the fare decreases to the route once it resumes in February?"
Last month, it was announced that BC Ferries would be temporarily cancelling its ferry service between Skidegate and Prince Rupert for the majority of January. The cancellation is meant to accommodate work on the current docks to allow for the arrival of the new ferry, The Northern Adventure, which should be calling at the port in late March.
Of urgent concern for residents of the Islands is the planned schedule change and service disruption just ahead of this February’s All Native Basketball Tournament, which sees a pair of deadlines, construction work on the Skidegate dock and the opening ceremonies for the tournament running much too close for comfort.
Wednesday’s Daily News features two articles on the frustrating state of affairs for the island residents when it comes to their relationship with the Ferry corporation.
Islanders feeling washed up over ferry loss
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Pages one and seven
The hype is already building as Prince Rupert approaches the opening date for the 50th annual All-Native Basketball Tournament this coming February. And because it is the 50th, the ANBT is scheduled to be longer lasting, to allow as many teams as possible who wish to compete time to take part, as well as allow time for all to participate in what is being referred to as a "cultural celebration" that will take place on Fri., Feb. 6.
The only problem is that one particular nation that has been a staple at this tournament since its inception is being hampered by a decision by BC Ferries to shut down the Skidegate-to-Prince Rupert sailing from Jan. 2 until Feb. 7, leaving the Haida scrambling for alternate solutions to get to the tournament.
"Guys are worried," said Skidegate's Masters team coach Kevin Borserio. "That's what's in the back of our minds, and we have to deal with this."
Skidegate traditionally sends a Masters, Senior Men's, and Intermediates team to the tournament, and, of course, the village of Skidegate usually empties at this time, as the fans also travel to Rupert for the annual tournament.
But they aren't alone, as the Haida nation also always sends four teams from Old Massett, including a women's team in addition to Intermediates, Masters, and Senior Men's.
All those teams and fans are now wondering how they will get to the ANBT.
Arnie Bellis, vice president of the Council for the Haida Nation and long-time coach for the Old Massett Guardians, said that everyone on Haida Gwaii is wondering how they are going to get over to Rupert for the tournament.
"Of course we're concerned about that, everyone is," he said.
BC Ferries has stated that the company will offer air service to some affected passengers during that time period, and they've also hinted that the work on the ferry dock in Skidegate could be completed earlier than the Feb. 7 deadline.
But everyone on the North Coast is aware how winter storms can affect timelines, and Borserio wonders how that will impact the ferry schedule.
"We talked about it last week, and we're going to need more fundraising," he said. "It's going to cost tens of thousands of dollars to get everyone over there."
Hansen hears calls for ferry fare reductions
By George T. Baker and Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Page one
Colin Hansen would not guarantee Skidegate-to-Prince Rupert ferry users a February-extension for the 33 per cent ferry fare reduction imposed on BC Ferries by the province last week.
Hansen said he had heard the concerns of locals on Monday morning about the two-month reduction but that no formal announcement regarding an extension was imminent.
"This was something that was brought to my attention by All-Native Basketball Tournament president Clarence Martin and it's a suggestion that I will take back to discuss with my colleague Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon," said Hansen.
North Coast MLA and ferries critic for the NDP Gary Coons wants the pressure to stay on the provincial government to ensure that the extension is given to North Coast ferry users.
Coons wrote to B.C. premier Gordon Campbell last week seeking an extension to the ferry fare reduction time-frame.
Coons wrote: "Specifically, I would like to know if users of the route between the Queen Charlotte Islands and Prince Rupert will entirely miss out on the fare decreases, which you have announced for January, given that ferry services are scheduled to be completely absent during that time. In the interests of fairness, will your government apply the fare decreases to the route once it resumes in February?"
Last month, it was announced that BC Ferries would be temporarily cancelling its ferry service between Skidegate and Prince Rupert for the majority of January. The cancellation is meant to accommodate work on the current docks to allow for the arrival of the new ferry, The Northern Adventure, which should be calling at the port in late March.
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