An electric ferry will link Vancouver with islands. Two injured in a crash on Barnet Highway. Surrey sues Metro Vancouver over investment agency.
Electric ferry from Vancouver: a new chapter in British Columbia transit
Vancouver may get a new, environmentally friendly transit artery linking downtown with scenic island and coastal communities. The Vancouver Park Board unanimously backed an ambitious project to launch a passenger electric ferry that would run from the Coal Harbour area to Bowen Island and to the town of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. That decision opens the way for negotiations between city officials and developer CIRQL Ferries, as detailed by CBC News.
The idea, first proposed last year, envisions two routes: to Bowen Island (a 40-minute trip) and onward to Gibsons (70 minutes). The key difference from existing BC Ferries services is departure from the heart of Vancouver, sparing passengers the need to travel to the Horseshoe Bay terminal about 20 kilometres in West Vancouver. CIRQL CEO Callum Campbell describes the project as a "natural extension" of existing transit systems, "designed" from day one for cyclists: each vessel would carry 150 passengers, 20 bicycles and four wheelchairs.
Infrastructure changes will affect the Harbour Green Park dock, which will remain open to public boats but will be partially reconfigured. Campbell compares the process to Lego: plans include creating a new viewing platform and installing a dedicated "charging barge" for the electric ferries that will also serve as the boarding point. Although an initial launch was targeted for 2027, the company now takes a more realistic view of the timeline and is aiming for 2028, citing the need to build the vessels and refine the terminals.
The project's finances have also shifted. Whereas the total cost was previously estimated at $60 million, Campbell acknowledges it has risen due to increased terminal work, though the project is still considered financially viable. Fare to Bowen Island will be $20, and to Gibsons $30. The company projects total ridership of 1,000 people per day, inspired by the success of a similar service, Hullo Ferries, which links Vancouver with Nanaimo.
Support from authorities and communities rests on several key factors. First, decarbonizing transport — switching to electric propulsion aligns with regional environmental goals. Second, creating an alternative to overloaded BC Ferries routes. As Darren Inkster, a councillor from nearby Sechelt, noted, the new service will be a lifesaver in summer when BC Ferries are full of cars and Sunshine Coast residents regularly face long lines and delays. "We just need more predictable transportation for people who need to get to Vancouver for personal, business and medical reasons," he said.
Gibsons mayor Sylas White sees the project not only benefiting commuters but also providing a major boost to tourism, opening up day-trip possibilities from Vancouver. Park Board member Scott Jensen expressed hope that the new transport hub will enliven the area, creating opportunities for bike rentals and small business growth. Thus, the electric ferry is not just a new route but part of a vision for a modern, multimodal and sustainable regional transit system that could change established logistics patterns and improve the quality of life for thousands.
Collision on Barnet Highway: two in serious condition
A serious traffic collision during the morning rush hour in Burnaby left two people taken to hospital in serious condition. The incident led to a full closure of one of the metro Vancouver region's key arteries, causing major traffic disruptions.
The collision, which Port Moody police described as "serious," occurred on the Burnet Highway on the Burnaby side just before 7 a.m. on Tuesday. It forced authorities to close the highway in both directions between Clarke Street in Port Moody and the Cariboo Road area in Burnaby. CTV News reports that substantial emergency response resources were quickly dispatched to the scene: four ambulances, one paramedic supervisor and one specialized paramedic unit. British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) confirmed the call in the 9900 block of Barnet Highway came in at 6:49 a.m. Paramedic spokesperson Brian Twaite said "paramedics provided urgent medical care and transported two patients to hospital in serious condition." By 9 a.m., one westbound lane was partially opened for alternating traffic, but police warned that travel in Port Moody and across the Tri-Cities region remained "severely disrupted." Travelers were strongly advised to avoid the area until the road fully reopened. Barnet Highway is an important connector linking several municipalities east of Vancouver, and its closure during rush hour inevitably caused large traffic jams and overloaded alternative routes. The incident again raises questions about safety on busy thoroughfares during peak travel periods.
City vs. region: Surrey sues Metro Vancouver over investment agency
An unusual municipal clash is unfolding in British Columbia: the City of Surrey is suing the regional district Metro Vancouver. The dispute centers on the creation and funding of the agency "Invest Vancouver," which Surrey officials say was established unlawfully and is unfairly spending taxpayers' money.
Surrey, one of the largest and fastest-growing municipalities in the Greater Vancouver area, filed a petition for judicial review in the province's Supreme Court challenging the legality of creating Invest Vancouver. Global News reports that Surrey mayor Brenda Locke said the city had to go to court because the Metro Vancouver board exceeded its authority when it created the organization in 2021 without passing the required bylaw under the Local Government Act. Legal documents assert that without such a bylaw, the creation of Invest Vancouver is "ultra vires" — a Latin legal term meaning actions taken beyond the authority granted by law — and therefore lacks legal force. Mayor Locke emphasized: "We firmly believe there were mistakes made by Metro Vancouver with respect to Invest Vancouver."
The financial aspect became a central argument for Surrey. According to court documents, Invest Vancouver's 2025 budget is CAD 4.75 million, and since 2019 Surrey has already contributed more than CAD 2.6 million. "People in Surrey don't want to pay for economic development in other communities," Locke said. She also noted that the city has its own strong brand and that promoting "Invest Surrey" is more important to them than supporting a region-wide structure. In response, Metro Vancouver said no bylaw was required and that the agency was created through a transparent governance process.
The conflict is intensified by public criticism of the agency itself. Global News has previously detailed concerns about costly staff travel by Invest Vancouver. In 2024 staff made 17 trips, and hotel bills in some cases reached $1,000 per night. Recently the agency's president Jackie Griffiths posted on LinkedIn about a trip to Tokyo. Such expenditures have raised questions about the effective use of funds. A New Westminster councillor and mayoral candidate even called for the agency to be shut down "along with a number of other initiatives." Mayor Locke expressed regret that the matter went to court: "We would have preferred to resolve this in a fairer and more reasonable way, but apparently Metro Vancouver did not want that." The provincial government of British Columbia, for its part, said it was not aware of the lawsuit. The dispute highlights the classic tension between regional cooperation and local interests, putting the funding and oversight mechanisms for organizations created to drive economic development in large metropolitan areas under scrutiny.
