Travel Advisory: COVID-19 Update - Important information - Last updated January 11, 2021 View ×

BC Ferries remains committed to ensuring coastal communities have reliable access to essential goods and supplies. Our priority is the health and safety of our customers and employees, and the company will strictly adhere to provincial and federal guidelines.

We encourage our customers to continue to heed Dr. Bonnie Henry’s advice to be calm, be kind, and be safe. Our vessel and terminal staff are working hard to adjust to changing circumstances and to implement protocols and procedures that keep everyone safe and healthy. BC Ferries does not tolerate any abuse, including verbal abuse, towards its employees. A customer who abuses an employee will be denied service.

On January 7, 2021 Dr. Bonnie Henry announced an update to the COVID-19 restrictions (in effect November 7 - February 5, 2021), for more information click here. BC Ferries advises customers to avoid non-essential travel at this time – this includes travel into and out of B.C. and between regions of the province. If this new Provincial Health Officer restriction affects your travel plans please contact us to change or cancel your booking. Reservations fees for existing bookings will be refunded if travel must be cancelled as a result of Provincial Health Order (PHO) travel restrictions, please contact us in advance of travel. This applies to travel occurring during the PHO travel restriction period. 

 

Masks are mandatory

All passengers must wear non-medical masks or face coverings when at terminals and on board ferries except:

  • When inside a vehicle
  • When consuming food or drinks, provided physical distancing is maintained
  • Children under 2 years of age
  • Medical condition or disability that inhibits the ability to wear a mask
  • Persons unable to place or remove a mask without assistance
  • BC Ferries employees working behind a physical barrier or within employee only areas provided physical distancing is maintained

 

* In the event that a passenger cannot wear a mask or face covering due to medical reasons, BC Ferries may require passengers to present documentation from a healthcare professional. This is a new Transport Canada requirement for ferry operators across Canada.

Passengers are reminded to continue to maintain physical distance while wearing a mask.
 
As defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, a mask should fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops, be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen) and be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping.

 

Transport Canada - Closed deck regulation - reinstatement on September 30th

The temporary flexibility Transport Canada granted ferry operators that allows passengers to remain in their vehicle on enclosed vehicle decks is being rescinded by the regulator on September 30th, 2020. Transport Canada allowed this temporary flexibility earlier this summer in response to COVID-19. BC Ferries must comply with Transport Canada regulations. Starting on September 30th, passengers loaded on enclosed lower decks will be required to leave their vehicles.

Learn more about the reinstatement of the Transport Canada regulation

View frequently asked questions

 

Transport Canada - COVID-19 screening

For any route longer than 30 minutes, BC Ferries will screen all customers for COVID-19 symptoms and restrict travel to any customer that does not meet the screening requirements, as per the federal guidelines.

Prior to entering a BC Ferries’ terminal, customers need to answer the following questions:

  1. Do you have a fever and a cough?
  2. Do you have a fever and breathing difficulty?
  3. Have you been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19?
  4. Are you the subject of a provincial/territorial or local public health order? Note: A provincial/territorial or local public health order is typically a quarantine order issued to a person who has tested positive or is presumed positive to COVID-19
  5. Are you in possession of a face covering that covers your mouth and nose, and do you agree to wear this covering when outside your vehicle at terminals and while on board ferries?

If you answer yes to any of questions 1 to 4 and/or no to question 5 above, or refuse to answer any of the questions, BC Ferries will deny you boarding. Customers not displaying symptoms and under a directive to self-isolate at home may be permitted on board but will be required to maintain physical distance by remaining in their vehicle.

BC Ferries has implemented measures in order to ensure that customers with serious medical conditions and a need for time sensitive treatments are able to continue to travel. Customers can communicate their travel needs to the ticket agent when they arrive at the terminal. Reservations are recommended, but non-reserved travel will be prioritized based on the essential travel needs.

View more details on Transport Canada’s announcement

Book in advance to avoid lengthy waits as sailings are limited. Check-in processing takes longer due to screening protocols in place.
 

Malahat Nation

Malahat Nation is currently under a Shelter in Place order that took effect January 8, 2021.

We ask that all Mill Bay ferry customers please wear a mask when on, or transiting to BC Ferries Mill Bay terminal outside of a vehicle. Commuting customers please see the request below from Malahat Nation regarding parking on Mill Bay Road.

For further information, please see malahatnation.com.

 

Northern routes

For more information on our current Northern schedules, visit bcferries.com/schedules.

Many communities served by BC Ferries have issued advisories to travelers notifying them of limited supplies, healthcare equipment and resources. These communities include Haida Gwaii, Bella Bella, Klemtu, and Bella Coola. Customers should inform themselves of local situations and remain committed to essential travel only.
For more information about travel and restrictions in these northern communities, see:

​

Foot passengers

When travelling, we require customers wear a face covering onboard or in our terminals. Reservations for foot passengers are available for travel between Tsawwassen - Southern Gulf Islands and our North Coast routes, and can now be made online.  On all other routes, foot passengers will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis until passenger capacity has been reached, and tickets may be purchased at the terminal.

 

BC Ferries Vacations

Customers with BC Ferries Vacation bookings affected by the COVID-19 restrictions (in effect November 7 - February 5, 2021) can contact us to change or cancel their booking. If you require immediate assistance, please contact BC Ferries Vacations at 1-888-223-3779 Ext. 3, or email vacations@bcferries.com. Vacations Call Centre business hours are:

  • Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5 pm
  • Weekends and statutory holidays: 9 am – 5 pm

 

Additional information

  • Customers requiring wheelchair assistance: We are unable to provide wheelchair assistance at terminals or on board ferries. If you require a wheelchair, request one at the terminal. We ask that you travel with your own wheelchair assistant if required.

  • For more information on travelling with BC Ferries during the COVID-19 Pandemic click here

  • Updates from our President and CEO Mark Collins

​

​Vehicles with U.S. license plates travelling on the Ferries

Canada Border Services Agency is screening people entering Canada at the borders. BC Ferries does not have a mandate to restrict travel.

 

​We’re in this together

We are proud of the work our dedicated employees continue to provide during this situation. Crews have been taking, and will continue to take, extra measures to ensure continued safe transport of critical goods and supplies to coastal B.C. communities. If you have a chance to relay a ‘thank-you’ to our teams online, please do.

BC Ferries provides a lifeline to remote and to coastal communities in British Columbia, and will continue to provide vital services, such as delivering medical supplies and groceries to support communities.

For more information on all the steps BC Ferries is taking during COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 response page. For more information on schedules visit bcferries.com/schedules. BC Ferries hopes to resume the levels of service customers have come to expect soon.

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Freedom of Information tracker

You can find all current general requests made to BC Ferries under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in the tracker below.

For privacy reasons, requests for personal information (such as an individual’s employment application) are not posted.

All completed requests remain on the tracker for one year and are then moved to the FOI archive for another two years, and all discontinued requests (including abandoned, transferred or withdrawn requests) are removed from this tracker.

For requests completed between one and three years ago, view the FOI archive.
FOIPP request # FOIPP
request 		 Requestor Process
fee		 Actual
cost		 Status Last
updated
21-020 Data regarding service disruptions from September 2019 and June 2020 between Campbell River and Quathiaski Cove, whether for mechanical reasons or foul weather. Individual TBD TBD Open January 12, 2021
21-019 The annual consumption of LNG by the BCFS vessel Spirit of British Columbia for the 2019 fiscal year.
View details		 Individual $0.00 TBD Complete January 14, 2021
21-018 Specified information regarding the assumptions used to create the current Gabriola Island schedule.
View details		 Individual $0.00 TBD Complete January 14, 2021
21-017 All records, including emails, concerning a March 10, 2020 event in which a commercial whale-watching vessel attempted to contact the Spirit of British Columbia about southern resident orcas in Active Pass.
View details		 Natural Resources Defense Council TBD TBD Open January 14, 2021
21-016 A copy of all customer complaints about BC Ferries' mask policy from March 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020 and any response provided by BC Ferries to the complaint. Individual TBD TBD Open December 2, 2020
21-015 The current operating contract between BC ferries and Kona Winds yacht charters for the operation of the Langdale, Keats Island, Gambier route Keith's Island Moorage Association TBD TBD Open October 8, 2020
21-014 Please provide information about the net passenger inflow and outflow each day from April 1st until September 30th for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 for Route 22.
View details		 Individual $31.20 TBD Complete October 22, 2020
21-013 Specified records mentioning decisions allowing/barring passengers to remain in lower decks
View details		 The Tyee $39.99 TBD Open December 17, 2020
21-012 Specified information regarding Project 91143 Bear Cove Floating Lead replacement.
View details		 Individual $12.33 TBD Complete October 22, 2020
21-011
  • On-time sailings and late departures for route 19, including scheduled sailings and actual arrivals /departures from both terminals; and
  • The sailing times and dates where overloads were experienced on Route 19.
 Individual TBD TBD Open October 8, 2020
21-010 Any and all records including photographs and CAD drawings for the induction loops on BC Ferries or any other boats in Canada with induction loops. Hearing Access & Innovations $0.00 TBD Discontinued September 9, 2020
21-009 The operating contract for route 13 between BC Ferries and Kona Winds.  In addition, a copy of any email or written communications between the public and BC Ferries regarding the wake and wash for safe operation of either of the storm away vessels. Travelers Mobile TBD TBD Open August 17, 2020
21-008 Any refit documents, maintenance information, and inspection information for the North Island Princess for years 2015 to 2020 Individual TBD TBD Open August 17, 2020
21-007 Any and all Documents, Records, and Communications relating to the Island Class vessels minimum Safe Manning, vessel crew profiles, emergency response, drills, and maintenance. BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union TBD TBD Open August 17, 2020
21-006 Board and committee minutes related to Catamaran Ferries International and Vancouver Shipyards from 23 May 1996 to 30 March 2000 Individual TBD TBD Open August 17, 2020
21-005 Copy of the current (and most recent) contract between Western Pacific Marine and BC Ferries/Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, for the ferry route between French Creek and Lasqueti Island, Route 55. View details Individual $10.30 TBD Complete September 9, 2020
21-004 Winning bid awarded for RFQ 02-02-2020 for the large format LED sign for Duke Point. View details 10net Managed Solutions Ltd. $0.00 $473.77 Complete November 5, 2020
21-003 Traffic statistics on how many people traveled on the following routes both directions: Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay, Tsawwassen and Duke Point, and Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay on April 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2019 and April 11, 12, 13 and 14, 2020. Individual $0.00 TBD Discontinued August 17, 2020
21-002 Specified records pertaining to the number of exempt (non-bargaining unit) employees laid off between March 1 and April 8, 2020. The scope of this request is to include all departments, subsidiaries, locations, and points of assembly of exempt staff. Individual $0.00 TBD Discontinued July 6, 2020
21-001 Copies of all correspondence leading up to the decision to suspend service on the route between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay.  Individual $0.00 $1,282.66 Discontinued August 17, 2020
20-031 All e-mail communications from the President & CEO that mentions or refers to the coronavirus, COVID-19, nCoVD, between March 1-30, 2020. CHEK News $0.00 $97.04 Discontinued July 6, 2020
20-030 All correspondence and records dealing with decision in 2017 to require passengers to exit vehicles on lower decks.
View details		 The Tyee $239.78 TBD Open January 12, 2021
20-029 The total number of BC Ferries scheduled sailings and the total number of sailing cancellations due to adverse weather conditions per annum from 2003 through 2019. View details Individual $22.75 $799.14 Complete February 26, 2020
20-028 The total number of passengers that travelled on BC Ferries under the provincial Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) for each fiscal year ending 2015 through 2019. View details Individual $7.60 $460.07 Complete February 26, 2020
20-027 Specified records related to the Northern Expedition between 2011 and the present. View details Individual $239.79 $2,108.69 Complete February 27, 2020
20-024
  1. Dates the 8:00 a.m. sailing from Denman West to Buckley Bay was overloaded during the work week from the launch of Hornby Island priority loading project to November 12, 2019.
  2. Gross revenue from ticket sales on the Baynes Sound Connector from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. View details
 Individual $22.60 $238.56 Complete January 14, 2020
20-021 Regarding the Baynes Sound Connector:
  1. From February 2016 to October, 2019, dates, times and reasons for cancellation of scheduled sailings or departures delayed by more than 30 minutes.
  2. Dates and times when sailings were disrupted by debris or logs picked up by the cables or conflict with other vessels.
  3. Dates and times when the vessel was not available for emergency sailings due to repairs and maintenance. View details
 Individual $58.90 TBD Complete January 21, 2020
19-016 Copies of any documents, emails, letters, telephone logs, diary/journal/ daily planner entries, meeting minutes, committee agendas, briefing notes, financial statements, spreadsheets or any other correspondence or record that mention or pertain to Non-Disclosure Agreements and or the value of any payments of a settlement, for cash or other considerations, in the possession of BC Ferries and its employees and or management, between January 01 2013 - December 31 2018. Individual TBD TBD Open April 8, 2019


(List last updated: January 14, 2021)

Contact us

We're here to help. If you have any questions about Freedom of Information requests, you can reach us at:

FOIPP@bcferries.com
250-978-1502

Head Office
Suite 500 - 1321 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 0B7