The 40-passenger Grey Selkie will operate between Maffeo Sutton Park and Newcastle Island starting March 6, 2020. (Snunyemuxw First Nation)

By Ian Holmes

gentle ride

Newcastle Island ferry service staying afloat with City of Nanaimo help

Feb 7, 2020 | 4:12 PM

NANAIMO — A subsidy will ensure the Newcastle Island passenger ferry service operates this year.

The City of Nanaimo will give a total of $150,000 over two years to Snuneymuxw First Nation to sustain trips across the Nanaimo Harbour.

Mayor Leonard Krog told NanaimoNewsNOW it was an easy decision to make during an in-camera meeting.

“It’s very hard to charge the full cost of the ferry service and expect ordinary citizens of Nanaimo to have the opportunity to go there with their families,” Krog said.

Ferry service to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park) will begin in early March on the 40-passenger vessel the Grey Selkie and continues until mid-October.

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Krog said council was satisfied with the business case presented by SFN for the service.

“The City of Nanaimo is very intent and is working hard to ensure genuine reconciliation in our community. Reconciliation means working together with Snuneymuxw First Nation and we intend to continue to do that.”

The City of Nanaimo provided a $125,000 subsidy in 2017 after SFN took over the service following disruptions from another service provider.

A subsidy was not provided in 2018, according to the City.

The Newcastle Island ferry schedule and prices can be found online here.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes