As I watch delegates file into the Vancouver Convention Centre, there’s an unmistakable tension in the air. Not the kind that signals party discord, but the determined energy of a governing party wrestling with how to deliver on its economic promises.
“We build things here,” shouted delegate Maria Sanchez from the convention floor microphone yesterday afternoon. “Our shipyards can do this work. Our workers need these jobs.”
The room erupted in applause as NDP convention delegates overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on their own government to ensure BC Ferries’ next vessels are built in British Columbia shipyards, not overseas.
This isn’t just about boats. For the 500-plus delegates gathered here, it represents something more fundamental: whether a progressive government can truly prioritize local jobs while managing the practical realities of provincial finances.
Premier David Eby, who received a standing ovation during his morning address, now faces a delicate balancing act. His government must weigh the higher costs of local construction against the economic benefits of keeping hundreds of millions in ferry contracts within provincial borders.
“Every dollar spent in BC shipyards generates about $1.85 in economic activity for our communities,” explained Jordan Miller, business representative for Marine Workers Union Local 1. “When we send these contracts overseas, we’re exporting not just the work, but all those spinoff benefits.”
The resolution comes at a critical moment. BC Ferries plans to replace aging vessels in its fleet over the next decade, with contracts potentially worth over $1 billion. The crown corporation has historically sent many vessel orders to European and Asian shipyards, citing cost savings of 20-40 percent compared to Canadian bids.
Walking through the convention hall, I spoke with Tom Peterson, a shipyard worker from Victoria who took two days off work to attend. “My father built ferries in the 70s, and I’ve repaired them my whole career. We have the skills here,” he told me, displaying calloused hands. “What we need is the confidence from our government that we can do more than maintenance.”
The economic case isn’t straightforward. Government estimates suggest building locally costs significantly more upfront, potentially $25-50 million per vessel. However, supporters argue these costs are offset by tax revenue, employment benefits, and skills development that position BC for future marine manufacturing opportunities.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming acknowledged the challenge during a panel discussion. “We understand the importance of supporting local industry,” he said. “But we’re also responsible for ensuring ferry service remains affordable for coastal communities who depend on it daily.”
What makes this resolution particularly interesting is that delegates essentially instructed their own government to change course. BC NDP has held power since 2017, and BC Ferries, while technically independent, ultimately answers to the provincial cabinet.
Outside the convention hall, I caught up with Emily Chang, an economics professor at Simon Fraser University. “There’s real tension between procurement policies that prioritize lowest-bid contracts versus those that factor in broader economic benefits,” she explained. “The challenge is measuring and valuing those benefits in concrete terms.”
BC’s shipbuilding capacity has diminished over decades, but significant players remain. Vancouver Shipyards, Victoria Shipyards, and several smaller facilities employ roughly 3,000 workers directly in the province.
The resolution isn’t binding on government, but it sends a clear political message about party priorities. Premier Eby will need to respond thoughtfully, especially as his party prepares for a provincial election next fall where jobs and affordability will top voter concerns.
For many watching across the country, this debate represents a microcosm of larger questions facing progressive governments: Can they deliver on promises of good local jobs while managing fiscal constraints? How do they balance competing priorities when both options have merit?
“Building these ferries in BC is about more than just metal and engines,” said convention delegate Michael Richardson, a teacher from Nanaimo. “It’s about what kind of economy we want—one that supports communities and develops skills, or one that simply seeks the lowest bid regardless of wider impacts.”
As delegates break into policy sessions today, the shipbuilding resolution sets the tone for a convention focused on concrete economic actions rather than abstract principles. For a party approaching eight years in power, the push represents a grassroots reminder of the values that brought them to government in the first place.
The question now is whether those values can be translated into procurement policy that works for both taxpayers and workers—a question many other provinces will be watching closely as they face similar decisions about infrastructure investments in coming years.
