B.C. to replace 3 Ferries

The B.C. Treasury Board on March 22 approved an agreement that will allow the long-awaited purchase of replacements for the vessels on northern routes. The Treasury Board meeting was previously scheduled, and it was a coincidence that it was on the day that the passenger ferry struck a rock and sank off the north coast of the province. The terms of the agreement, under which the province will pay increased service fees to B.C. Ferries, have not been made public. It is estimated that the total cost to replace the Queen of the North, Queen of Prince Rupert and Queen of Chilliwack will be about $300 million. The new ferries should be in operation between 2009 and 2011. The three northern ferries were scheduled to be retired by 2010. (Source: Globe and Mail)