Contracts already signed with German shipbuilder, B.C. union president says Vancouver Province
'Our information is that B.C. Ferries has already signed a contract with German shipbuilder Flensburger, subject to the approval of the board of directors of the corporation, to build the new ferries,' George MacPherson, president of the B.C. Shipyard General Workers' Federation, told The Province yesterday.
He said he was aware the German company once built U-boats during the Second World War but did not wish to make any further comment on it.
B.C. Ferries said 'the process isn't complete yet and we don't want to comment any further.'
It did, however, confirm the board of directors would meet this fall to consider the matter but said it doesn't make the date of board meetings public.
The $500-million contract is being bitterly opposed by the B.C. shipbuilding industry and other segments of society, including former premier Bill Vander Zalm and three North Shore mayors, who believe it is a mistake to go offshore and that local shipbuilders have been unfairly shut out of the competition.