After public outrage to the disclosure of salaries and bonuses to BC Ferries top executives, Transportation Minister Todd Stone demanded the board of BC Ferries conduct an investigation and report back within 30 days.
That was 41 days ago, and there’s been no word from BC Ferries.
Stone says BC Ferries actually did get back to him within 30 days, but the ferry corporation asked for more time.
“It’s better to get it right, and take a few extra days, and a bit more time to make sure that all of the different moving parts in this are considered. We are not ripping up contracts, or retroactively clawing back compensation for people, but we want to make sure that we get it right.”
BC Premier Christy Clark says she understands British Columbian’s frustrations.
“Most people who take BC Ferries when they are paying $100 to get their family back and forth on the system are not happy about how much those guys get paid, and neither am I,” says Premier Christy Clark.
The huge disparity between salaries at BC Ferries and Washington State Ferries is under fire after the NDP’s ferries critic traveled to the state on a fact-finding mission.
NDP critic Claire Trevena says bloated pay for executives at a time when regular British Columbians can’t afford to take the ferry is appalling.
She says the blame rests with the BC Liberal government, who set up the Coastal Ferries Act 12 years ago.
“BC Ferries has been increasing the fares at an unsustainable rate. BC Ferries should be highway system for people who live in coastal communities. This Premier has had two years to fix this; this minister has had four months to fix it,” says Trevena. “Unfortunately the Legislature is not sitting right now, because this could be solved with the stroke of a pen.”
BC Ferries CEO Mike Corrgian made $563,000 last year, compared to $165,943 for the CEO of the Washington State Ferries.
BC Ferries’ two VPs each made over $600,000 in salary and bonuses. Vice-President Robert Clarke made $492,000 in 2012, plus $133,000 in bonuses. Vice-President Glen Schwartz made $491,000, plus a $127,000 bonus.
BC Ferries salaries are set by the corporation’s boards, of which there are two. Washington State Ferries has no board and is directly accountable to the state government.
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