Re: “B.C. Ferries CEO responds to ­criticism of new vessel contract,” Sept. 3.

I was invited to federal Transportation Minister Chrystia Freeland’s “Made in Canada” meeting as an industry leader in the shipbuilding/construction industry.

Many great ideas were proposed, and the conversations were conducive and necessary for creating cohesive and effective plans for protecting and boosting our national railway projects and steel industry in the face of a trade war.

Both government and industry leaders in the room presented a strong sense of Canadian pride, all ready to roll up their sleeves and fight for Canada’s ­sovereignty and economic success.

All, except for B.C. Ferries. Even in this article, CEO Nicolas Jimenez says B.C. Ferries needs more government help in ensuring training for a skilled workforce and building up a domestic supply chain — the very reason why we’re having these types of meetings.

The government, shipyards, unions, and others are willing to do what it takes to keep shipbuilding in B.C. with a coastline of more than 27,000 kilometres.

China has targeted Canada with tariffs. Our steel industry is at its most vulnerable and B.C. Ferries decides to support Chinese steel instead.

This deliberate choice to send vessel contracts to China robs opportunities from Canadian youth, businesses, and all citizens. This is essentially a Canadian organization going rogue and doing the opposite to protect our domestic economies.

The organization is supposedly called “British Columbia Ferries” but might as well rename itself to “Buy Chinese Ferries,” as they consistently come up with weak excuses to build there, not here.

Phil Venoit

Chair, IBEW-BC

Victoria

Both Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Premier David Eby are out of touch in wanting the federal government to scrap the temporary foreign worker program, stating that it has caused an employment crisis among young ­Canadians.

Foreign workers are prepared to work in jobs that young Canadians no longer wish to do. This includes agriculture,........

© Times Colonist