Vaughn Palmer: B.C. Ferries ditches long-standing community committees for an as-yet-not-designed 'new era of engagement' with the public

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VICTORIA — When B.C. Ferries staged a conference call with its long-standing community advisory committees last week, it was to deliver the news that their services were no longer wanted.

“I’m boggled,” Diana Mumford, chair of one of the 13 all-volunteer panels said. “They thanked us for our service — their deepest gratitude for all the work that we’ve done. But now you’re fired.”

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Adding to the insult, the ferry corporation asked: “Could you please stay around until the end of April, so we come up with a new plan?”

Mumford chairs the advisory committee for the southern Sunshine Coast. She also chairs a panel of the heads of all the committees.

The committees were established by the NDP government of the 1990s “as part of B.C. Ferries’ goal to be customer and community centred,” according to a post still on the Ferries’ website.

“Committees provide input on decisions related to schedules, terminals, and routes (and) support their communities by providing input and advocacy. Members are volunteers, chosen to........

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