Building new B.C. ferries in China cost Canada $1.5B in lost GDP, report finds

According to a report published by Alder Grove Star on September 11, 2026, the construction of four new BC Ferries vessels in China is projected to result in a loss of approximately $1.5 billion in Canadian gross domestic product (GDP). The report also estimates that the project would forego the equivalent of 10,000 person‑years of employment within Canada.

The analysis suggests that outsourcing the building of the ferries to Chinese shipyards would divert economic activity and jobs that would otherwise remain in Canada. The report does not detail the specific shipyards involved or the contractual terms of the agreements.

BC Ferries, the provincial operator responsible for ferry services across British Columbia, has not released an official statement regarding the findings of the report. The implications for Canadian maritime industry stakeholders and policymakers remain to be seen.

While the report highlights potential economic drawbacks, it does not address possible benefits such as cost savings or technological advantages that could arise from overseas construction.

Further investigation is required to confirm the accuracy of the projected GDP loss and employment impact, as well as to assess the broader economic context of the decision to build the vessels abroad.

For more detailed information, readers are encouraged to consult the full report available on the Alder Grove Star website.

Article and image source: aldergrovestar.com