A Conservative MP has poked fun at BC Ferries for awarding a multi-billion shipbuilding contract to a Chinese firm.
Aaron Gunn, who represents the Vancouver Island riding of Powell River-North Island, posted a picture to X of a scale model of a vessel that was itself made in China.
"Well, points for accuracy," Gunn wrote.
Earlier this year, China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards — a subsidiary of a "state-owned enterprise directly administered by the central government" that is "closely linked" to China's military — was tapped to build four new ships for the transportation service provider.
BC Ferries and Premier David Eby have received pushback from across the political spectrum, however the BC Conservatives have been the most vocal opponents of the move.
The party argued that the decision "puts British Columbia's economy and Canada's security at risk, at a time when tariffs and trade tension with China are at the top of the national and international agenda."
"Premier Eby put on a big show of not stopping in China on his trade mission to Asia," MLA and Transportation Critic Harman Bhangu said. "Then the NDP sends billions of dollars to a state-owned shipyard in China."
He pointed out that the government appointed the majority of those on the BC Ferries board — including the NDP cabinet minister-turned-current board chair — and as such, "this deal is fully within the government's control."
