Full ferry service on Kootenay Lake is expected to resume Friday as the union and employer at the centre of a protracted labour dispute have agreed to submit outstanding issues to binding mediation.
The British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) Local 2009 and Western Pacific Marine will turn over their final proposals to special mediator Vince Ready, who will issue recommendations on all unresolved matters.
Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.’s minister of labour, confirmed the agreement in a written statement released Wednesday.
“I am pleased that the union, BCGEU Local 2009, and employer, Western Pacific Marine, are expected to resume full ferry service on Friday, April 11, 2025,” she said.
Binding mediation process
The appointment of Ready, a veteran mediator known for his work in labour disputes across Canada, signals a decisive step toward ending disruptions that have impacted local communities for months.
Whiteside thanked Ready for his continued work on what she called an “incredibly important file.”
Neither the union nor the employer issued their own public statements immediately following the government’s announcement.
Impact on local residents
The ferry disruptions have caused transportation challenges for residents who depend on the Kootenay Lake service to commute and access essential services.
“This is welcome news for residents who rely on the Kootenay Lake ferries,” said Whiteside. She also acknowledged the “patience and resilience” of the affected communities.
Whiteside credited Kootenay MLAs Brittny Anderson and Steve Morissette for advocating on behalf of their constituents throughout the dispute.
