November 7 – Ottawa
A lack of qualified seafarers is an issue that touches all corners of the marine sector – including passenger vessels across the country.
Without qualified personnel, ferry vessels that are a vital part of the daily commute of many Canadians and provide connections to remote parts of the country, would not able to operate.
The ferry industry is working closely with the federal government to find ways to attract more Canadians – including women and Indigenous people – to the marine sector. Our sector is also looking for ways to provide support for our current marine workforce to obtain additional certifications and support their progression. This includes considering modifications to the EI rules to accommodate training for current employees.
In addition, we look forward to working with Transport Canada on amending the minimum safe manning requirements and the marine personnel regulations, both of which are crucial to the ferry industry’s ability to staff the current fleet of vessels, as well as recruit and retain future workers.
This lack of qualified personnel is a significant challenge, and the Canadian Ferry Association is focused on solutions. We believe that by industry stakeholders and government working together, we can develop and implement measures that will improve the marine sector as a whole.
We look forward to welcoming the workforce of tomorrow.
About CFA
The Canadian Ferry Association is the national voice of ferries in Canada. Our members operate with the highest professional and operational standards and promote the safe operation of ferry services in Canada. With over 53 million passengers, 21 million vehicles and billions of dollars of goods transported annually, the ferry sector is a crucial part of Canada’s infrastructure.
Visit www.canadianferry.ca for more information. Follow us on Twitter @cdnferry.
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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Serge Buy, CEO
(613) 686-3838