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

According to a report released on September 11, 2026, building four new BC Ferries vessels in China would result in an estimated loss of $1.5 billion in Canadian gross domestic product (GDP). The report also estimates that the project would forgo the equivalent of 10,000 person‑years of employment.

The analysis, published by PQB News, highlights the economic impact of constructing BC Ferries ships overseas rather than domestically. It quantifies the projected GDP loss and the employment opportunity cost associated with the decision to build the vessels in China.

BC Ferries, the Canadian ferry operator serving British Columbia, has been evaluating options for fleet expansion. The report’s findings suggest that domestic construction could mitigate the reported economic losses.

Source: PQB News, “Building new B.C. ferries in China cost Canada $1.5B in lost GDP, report finds,” September 11, 2026. https://pqbnews.com/2026/09/11/b-c-loses-1-5b-gdp-boost-by-building-ferries-in-china-report-finds

Article source: pqbnews.com | Image credit: Chilliwack Progress