For Immediate Release
April 19, 2022

VOLUNTEERISM AT ITS BEST
MEET YOUR NORTH & CENTRAL COAST FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR

VICTORIA – An avid fisherman, Heiltsuk First Nation Councillor Reg Moody is clearly a man of the sea. “I’d rather spend all day on the water instead of behind a desk, if I could,” Moody shares during a recent conversation. And as co-Chair of the North and Central Coast Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), Moody has more than just fishing on his marine-oriented mind most days.

A member of the FAC for the past eight years, Moody first became involved in the Committee in 2014 when BC Ferries announced the cancellation of the Port Hardy-Central Coast service. At the time, he was Chair of the Central Coast Regional District and saw the strong reaction the service change drew from many organizations and communities in the region. From his vantage point, Moody could clearly see how valuable this seasonal, direct service was for Central Coast communities, and he wanted to learn more.

Now, with years of FAC experience, Moody is focused on ensuring the primary needs of Bella Bella and other Central Coast communities continue to be shared with BC Ferries, particularly the unique reliance on ferry service for critical supplies. “It’s important to keep a focus on the food and freight shipments during the high demand sailings and in peak season,” says Moody. “These goods should not sit on the docks waiting for the next sailing if at all possible.”

Moody and his fellow Ferry Advisory Committee members are exactly the kind of volunteers being recognized across the country this week. April 24-28, 2022 is National Volunteer Week across Canada. The annual event seeks to celebrate the positive impact of volunteerism in communities. This year’s theme ‘Empathy in Action’ celebrates the ways in which volunteers build awareness around the experiences of different community members and build capacity to work collectively together towards common goals.

For Moody this year’s theme of empathy in action means being sensitive to the community and their unique needs. In his role with the FAC Moody focuses on understanding what those needs are and how they’re changing over time, by gathering information from the Central Coast communities of Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Shearwater, and Ocean Falls. He helps bring these voices to the table in conversations with BC Ferries, and keeps fellow community members up to speed on ferry-related issues. This includes things like how the service operates, changes that may be afoot, and some of the very real operational limitations faced by the company.

For Moody, it’s the one-on-one conversations where the real information sharing happens. It’s also where he notices the most benefit, both in his role as co-Chair of the FAC and as Heiltsuk Councillor. “The FAC provides me an opportunity for networking within the region and understanding common issues,” he says.

Moody’s ability to work with people appears to come naturally as one of the first things you’ll notice about him is his open, positive attitude. Given the vital role his group plays in connecting ferry users to the critical marine transportation that serves them, positivity and a willingness to listen are attributes Moody no doubt relies on daily.

For BC Ferries part, they say they couldn’t do it without volunteers like Moody. “Our Ferry Advisory Committees form a vital connection to the communities we serve,” says Brian Anderson, Vice President of Strategy and Community Engagement for BC Ferries. “They listen and respond to community members, and help open the doors of communication by sharing information, advice, and insights. We are very grateful for their dedication and the long hours we know they put in to their work with us.”

But ferry service isn’t the only marine-related endeavour Moody spends his time on. In fact, it may not even be his favourite. If you want to see Moody really get really enthused, ask him about the recent upgrades and improvements he’s made to his fishing boat. He’ll be happy to tell you about the cabin, engine, GPS and radar systems onboard, all of which are robust enough to allow him to pursue his goal of fishing commercially. Moody is a man of the sea, to be sure, and he’s a man with a strong love of his community; one that’s clearly expressed through his ongoing service to communities throughout the North and Central Coast.

If you’re interested in becoming part of the North and Central Coast Ferry Advisory Committee, you’re invited to reach out to Reg at reg.moody@heiltsuk.ca.


FAC Facts:

• There are 13 Ferry Advisory Committees situated in communities up and down the coast of British Columbia.
• Committees are generally made of up of 8-12 members who represent ferry dependent communities.
• FAC members bring a wide variety of voices and perspectives to the table. A committee’s composition depends on the community, and often includes representatives such as: full-time and part-time residents, the tourism industry, commuters, seniors, businesses, commercial goods and service providers, and many more.
• This past year, FAC members have helped with:
  • Understanding the complex use of ferry service in the Southern Gulf Islands
  • Developing new schedules for two-ship service for Gabriola Island and Quadra Island
  • Adjusting and communicating service and schedule changes during pandemic recovery