BC Ferries removes CEO Nicolas Jimenez and launches service review

BC Ferries removed CEO Nicolas Jimenez in British Columbia on October 26 and launched a review of the ferry system as it faces growing demand. Global News reported that the board fired Jimenez; the board described the move as a leadership transition. It has not disclosed a specific reason for his departure.

Brian Anderson, the company’s vice-president of strategy and planning, will serve as interim CEO. BC Ferries plans to search for a permanent replacement after the revitalization review, according to Global News and CHEK News. The company has not said when the review will finish.

What the BC Ferries review will examine

The company also faces a separate regulatory review every four years that sets fare limits and required service levels, CHEK reported. BC Ferries said it would work with the incoming provincial government, the BC Ferry Authority and the BC Ferries’ Commissioner on a reliable, safe and sustainable system.

Workers and incoming government respond

BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union president Eric McNeely told CHEK that changing the CEO alone would not resolve the system’s challenges. He said workers should take part in the revitalization review. Global News reported that the union was not surprised by the leadership decision and wanted the next CEO to work constructively with frontline staff.

McNeely told Global News that the union had been in negotiations for 15 months and had gone a year without a collective agreement. He linked labour stability to investment in workers, terminals and vessels, and said passengers wanted a safe, reliable and affordable system.

Premier-elect Lorne Doerkson said his focus was on improving BC Ferries. In a statement to CHEK, he called the service a lifeline for coastal communities and said British Columbians deserved reliable sailings and affordable fares. The BC Conservatives had pledged during the campaign to establish standards for performance, capacity and affordability, Global News reported.

Jimenez became CEO in March 2023, according to Global News. The outlet reported that he received more than $550,000 a year in salary and benefits and was entitled to 24 months’ severance under the company’s executive compensation statement.