Shipyard workers are ready. The public is behind them. And industry says now is the time to rebuild B.C.’s marine sector amid global uncertainty.
For immediate release
August 31, 2026
DELTA – An unprecedented coalition of unions has launched Build Them Here, a new campaign calling on BC Ferries to build future ferries in British Columbia.
“We are launching today because we are at an inflection point. The need to buy Canadian and build Canadian has grown even more critical in the last 10 days. In this moment, we can either lean into our long and proud history of shipbuilding in B.C. and rebuild an industry that has supported thousands of British Columbians and their families for decades or we can let this once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring ferry construction home pass us by and continue building ferries in China,” said Brynn Bourke, Executive Director of the BC Building Trades. “B.C. shipbuilders are world class. The next round of ferries should be built now and built here.”
The public agrees. A poll conducted by Leger in November showed overwhelming public support for rebuilding B.C.’s shipbuilding industry: 84 per cent of British Columbians want a plan to keep shipbuilding jobs in B.C. and 61 per cent say ferries should be built in B.C.
“Four new ferries should have meant years of good jobs and economic activity in B.C. Instead, BC Ferries sent that work to China. Public dollars should support B.C. workers and build a stronger economy here at home,” said Scott Lunny, Director of United Steelworkers District 3.
More than 15 unions, representing over 7,000 workers in the province’s marine industry including shipbuilders and operators, as well as workers in related industries have come together to launch this new campaign.
Building the next ferries in B.C. will not only have significant direct and indirect economic benefits for the province, but it will also ensure that ferries can be more easily repaired in B.C. “When our ferries are built overseas, British Columbia is at the mercy of global supply chains for parts and repairs. That means increased costs and delays for the communities that depend on ferry service. Our members have seen repairs delayed and delayed again as we wait for international teams to be flown in to fix things a local supplier could have fixed at home if we had used locally made parts,” added Eric McNeely, President of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers Union.
The Build Them Here coalition is asking members of the public to join the campaign and send a letter to BC Ferries telling them to build the next fleet of ferries in B.C.
Sign on here: buildthemhere.ca
Quotes:
Robert Buchmann, President, Ideal Welders –
“Ideal Welders has a proud history of supporting shipbuilding in British Columbia. Over the last 15 years, Ideal has developed significant shipbuilding capabilities, delivering everything from extensive pipe spools and outfitted equipment modules to large, outfitted hull and superstructure blocks, representing major portions of the vessels themselves, for the Joint Support Ships (JSS 1 and JSS 2) and the Polar Icebreaker. British Columbia has the skilled workforce, industrial capability, and supply chain needed to build ferries at home. Building ferries locally means creating quality jobs, strengthening our economy, and investing in the long-term future of B.C.’s marine industry. We know that building ferries in B.C. is possible, and we stand ready and willing to be part of the solution.”
Chuck Ko, President, Allied Shipbuilders Ltd. –
“For almost fifty years, Allied Shipbuilders built the vessels that carry British Columbians between their islands and the mainland, including the North Island Princess, Quadra Queen, A. J. Savoie, Tachek, Quadra Queen II and Skeena Queen. These ferries were built here, by workers who live here, in a shipyard that is proud to still operate today. We should harness our proud history of building ships locally and rebuild this industry so future BC Ferries can be constructed in British Columbia again.”
Jesse Johnson, Western Canada Skilled Metal Trades Advocate, President, Connect Group Inc. –
“A long-term commitment to building ferries in British Columbia can provide the certainty needed to justify investment in modernizing and refurbishing our shipyards, expanding fabrication capacity, upgrading equipment and developing the skilled workforce that will operate those facilities for the next generation. We have the people. We have the skills. We have an existing industrial base that can be renewed. Now we need the long-term commitment that allows industry to invest in it.”
Will Schwarz, Executive Director of Apprenticeship and Training, United Association Piping Industry College of BC –
“The United Association Piping Industry College of BC trains over 150 shipbuilders every year. We have the capacity and the expertise to build the next generation of ferry shipbuilders. If BC Ferries chooses to build the next fleet of ferries in B.C., we will train the workforce to deliver them.”
Mike Ferns, Business Representative, IAM 250 –
“For generations, IAM members have built and maintained ships in B.C., bringing the expertise of Machinists, Safety Advisors, Millwrights, Heavy-Duty Mechanics, and other skilled trades to critical operations at Seaspan Vancouver Shipyard and Vancouver Drydock. Our members are helping build some of Canada’s most complex naval vessels, demonstrating that B.C. has the skilled workforce and industrial capacity to build the ships British Columbians need.
Building B.C.’s next generation of ferries at home means good union jobs, apprenticeships for the next generation, investment in local shipyards, and a stronger domestic supply chain supporting businesses and communities across the province. It also means quality and safety standards we can stand behind.”
Aaron Embree, President, Marine & Shipbuilders Local 506 –
“CMAW Local 506 Marine & Shipbuilders represents more than 1,500 skilled tradespeople working on the federal government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. Our members build, repair, and maintain the vessels that support Canada’s marine industry, Coast Guard fleet, and national defence programs. We are proud of the skill, dedication, and craftsmanship our members bring to every project, and we know they would bring that same commitment to building ferries here in British Columbia. Building ferries in B.C. is part of our province’s history and our union’s legacy. Having seen firsthand the economic benefits, workforce development, and generational employment created through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we know ferry construction would deliver similar long-term benefits to British Columbians. We have the workforce, the expertise, and the capacity to build ferries here at home. It simply makes sense to build BC ferries in B.C.”
Build Them Here coalition members are:
BC Building Trades
BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union (BCFMWU)
BC General Employees Union (BCGEU)
BC Insulators Local 118
Marine Workers & Boilermakers Industrial Union (MWBIU) Local 1
Marine and Shipbuilders CMAW Local 506
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) – Northwest District 250
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 213
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 230
International Union of Operating Engineers Local (IUOE) Local 115
International Longshore Workers Union Canada
MoveUP
Sheet Metal Workers Local 280
Shipyard General Workers’ Federation
UA Local 170
UA Local 324
United Steel Workers District 3
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Media Contact:
Jordan Reid
604-992-3447
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