By Dominic Abassi

SFN claims role limited, diminished as progress towards foot ferry announced

Aug 23, 2017 | 5:46 PM

NANAIMO — An announcement about potential progress in the long-standing effort to establish passenger-only ferry service to Vancouver is being challenged by one of the parties at the table.

On Wednesday, Island Ferry Services (IFSL) and the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) issued a joint release saying the two sides agreed to key terms and conditions that will make up the framework of an eventual lease agreement. The deal is not an actual lease but sets out details like terms and rates to use the port’s infrastructure.

The release said “As required by the request for expressions of interest, Island Ferries also engaged the Snuneymuxw First Nation to understand their perspectives and concerns.”

However, SFN councillor Douglas White III told NanaimoNewsNOW once IFSL was selected as the preferred proponent, an expected “real engagement” process never happened. He said both the City of Nanaimo and NPA agreed no project would move ahead without the consent of SFN.

“The parties proceeded without Snuneymuxw and when we sought information and raised concerns, they were rejected,” White said. “And here we are today, they’re making an announcement and claiming to have engaged with us. It’s important for everyone to understand that’s just not accurate…There’s been no substantive engagement with Snuneymuxw.”

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The proposed ferry service would use the existing NPA-owned cruise ship terminal on Port Way. White said that is an important treaty area for SFN because of its history as a winter village site and is a key part of their fishery. He said the SFN and NPA have an agreement for the area to be used as a cruise ship terminal, but what’s now being proposed is an “entirely different proposition.”

White said the NPA has acted to “limit and diminish” SFN’s role in the process. “We’ve asked for information and we’ve been refused information, it’s been very troubling,” adding there have been meetings with IFSL during which concerns were voiced about the “real substance” that needs to be discussed.

He noted SFN is ready and willing to participate in any project which would benefit the region, as long as it answers to environmental, economic and treaty issues.

“Snuneymuxw has no view about the (foot ferry) project, we don’t really have information about the project. If a project is going to happen with our consent, in a lot of ways we’re at square one…We don’t have the information to form a view at this point.”

When asked if SFN consent is needed for the ferry service to move ahead, NPA president Bernie Dumas said “I’m not going there.” He said there are still several steps left to take, including an environmental review.

“The environmental review is critical for our discussions with SFN, so we’re not going to have those major discussions until we get that done and we’re not going to get there until IFSL gets their financial package,” Dumas said. He said signing the preliminary agreement with IFSL allows them to go out and secure their investors.

“Once they confirm they have the ships, financing and a place in Vancouver, then we’ll work on a long-term lease. That will trigger all these discussions with our partners…There’s got to be a lot more dialogue going on before it’s actually running.”

IFSL director of marine operations David Marshall said they had several independent meetings with SFN prior to and during the process leading up to Wednesday’s announcement.

He said although not an actual lease, the high level agreement signed now allows IFSL to focus on securing a place to dock in Vancouver, the environmental review and continued engagement with the First Nation.

“It’s a significant step…A big domino has just been pushed over and the energy that should create, should create the necessary momentum we need elsewhere,” Marshall said, adding they expect to have the service running by summer 2018.

Marshall said they have a committed investor who remains at the table. “That’s why we’re still in business.”

White said should a formal lease be signed without the consent of SFN, they would consider all of their options, including legal action.

An open call for expressions of interest in running the passenger-only service from Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver issued in March 2016 said proponents will be required to consult with local First Nations to build relationships. “The Snuneymuxw First Nation has Douglas Treaty rights in the region, as such, proponents must engage with Snuneymuxw,” the document said.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi