KOOTENAY LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Meeting Details:

Date: August 14, 2025 Location: Balfour Hall Time: 5:00 – 7:00PM

Meeting Items:

1. Welcome – WPM General Manager, Odai Sirri welcomed the attendees to the first annual meeting of the Kootenay Lake Advisory Committee (KLAC).
2. Opening Remarks with Territorial Acknowledgement – made by Kootenay Central MLA, Hon. Brittny Anderson.
3. WPM and KLAC Introductions – see attached Attendee List
4. Ferry Operator Update – provided by Odai:

Conclusion of Collective Bargaining – Special Mediator, Vince Ready, has issued his Binding Recommendations for the Renewal of the BCGEU / WPM Collective Agreement. The BCGEU will provide a draft of the new agreement within the next 6-8 weeks.

Upcoming and ongoing vessel maintenance and crewing – The Osprey 2000 is scheduled for its fall refit to start October 14, 2025. The MV Balfour will be in service for the three weeks that the Osprey will be in refit.

The new Day for Day crew schedule for each vessel will be implemented by January 1, 2026. WPM continues to recruit new employees, but the Canadian marine industry is experiencing a shortage of certified crew.

Workplace culture and training – Odai acknowledged that BCGEU strike action had significant impact on the local communities. He noted that the Special Mediator Binding Recommendations will impede the possibility of another strike of this nature. In the future, if a strike notice is served by the BCGEU, prior to any job action, the parties must go before a special mediator. Also, in the future, the BCGEU will run their negotiations out of their head-office in Vancouver and not the local Union office.

WPM is committed to repairing the relationship between the communities and the Kootenay Lake crews. HR Manager, Deepa Tatoo, is currently organizing Bullying and Harassment training as well as education on working with the public this will be organized alongside the BCGEU Occupational Health and Safety Representative.

5. KLAC Terms of Reference Review

The Terms were reviewed by the attendees. It was suggested that a sub-group meet more than once a year to discuss ongoing matters. Odai was open to a sub-group meeting in possibly October.

There will be no change to the service schedule.

Gary Jackman would like a discussion about the new build vessel and will contact Odai and James for follow up.

Discussion regarding forum of KLAC meetings. Future meetings may be a combination of in person and virtual.

Cheryl Graham noted that the communities would appreciate better communication during ferry breakdowns and maintenance requiring shutdowns.

Kevin Lewis requested that “Objective” include identifying successes and positive points as well.

WPM agreed that KLAC meeting notes could be distributed to the communities and that the meeting minutes will go on the WPM website.

Odai said that WPM is continuing the applications to the Labour Relations Board that were started during the strike. Hon. Brittny Anderson told the attendees that the Ministry of Labour was looking for community input regarding challenges faced during the strike to LRB, and that she would provide contact information.

6. MOTT Marine Branch Update – provided by Francois Bertrand, Marine Branch Executive Director

Francois shared communication updates regarding DriveBC and information sharing.

Schedule changes from Summer to Winter will begin after Labour Day Weekend and can be viewed on the Drive BC website.

There is a new Marine Branch Director of Operations Hailley Honcharik and Michelle Tang remains as the Manager of Inland Ferries.

The new build vessel is currently in the outfitting stage and progressing towards a 2027 completion. New build updates can be found on the MOTT website.

7. Community Engagement and Passenger Feedback

There was discussion around procedures during breakdowns (such as Harrop II breakdown in February) and community access to the vessel Safety Management System information. Odai stated that the SMS protocols do not apply to cable ferry breakdowns. Graham Clarke further clarified that SMS information is not given to the public as it can expose the vessel to sabotage.

Cheryl Graham noted that local tugs could be on standby for emergencies and were contacted during the Harrop ferry’s breakdown in February. She noted that a Community Response Plan could be put in place for emergency breakdowns. Gary Jackman said that the plan should be developed by the communities, such as First Responders and Search and Rescue teams with the cooperation of MOTT and WPM.

David Okros questioned the current crossing time for the Harrop ferry (almost 5 minutes). Graham Clarke suggested that reduced speed helps maintain the lifespan of operating equipment and thereby reducing costs for repair and replacement of cables. James Maung to review sailing durations on cable ferries.

Megan Rokeby Thomas questioned the current capacity of the Osprey 2000. James Maung explained that the passenger count was dictated by Transport Canada (TC). The Osprey’s Minimum Safe Manning Document has been reduced from 250 passengers and crew to 150 passengers and crew based on TC fire regulations. Francois Bertrand provided that MOTT has engaged with TC and is making technological changes that should result in TC reconsidering the reduced capacity. Temporary fire monitors have been installed, and permanent improvements are planned. Megan asked that MOTT let the KLAC members know if a show of public support was required.

It was noted that some East Shore residents were having issues with crew consistency as some crews appeared to allow more passengers than other crews. Odai asked that James Maung be notified when this occurs and it will be investigated.

Possible future public meetings were discussed. Hon. Brittny Anderson suggested that separate public meetings for each community (Balfour, East Shore, Harrop-Procter, Glade) would be preferrable.

The topic of better communication was discussed. One of the major complaints was the lack of communication throughout the strike, with communities not knowing when sailings would be made. It was explained that WPM was frequently given little or no advance notice of cancelled sailings by the BCGEU who had taken over crew scheduling during the strike period.

8. Stakeholder Communications – to be facilitated by WPM Director of Operations, James Maung, Email: jamesm@westernpacificmarine.com
9. Closing remarks – Odai thanked everyone for attending in person and looks forward to future meetings.
10. Adjournment

KOOTENAY LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING AUGUST 14, 2025 BALFOUR HALL, 5:00 – 7:00PM

Committee Attendance List