Thought of the Day - December 3 - In or Out of Your Car on the Ferry

One interesting aspect of the Coronavirus state of emergency is how it exposes other issues, particularly the enforcement of regulations. For example this summer it was amazing that drinking and camping in urban parks was on the agenda ( Thought of the Day - June 29 - Alfresco Drinking ). A more current case in point is the debate as to whether you should or shouldn't be allowed to stay in your vehicle while aboard a ferry. It seems way back in 2001 Transport Canada passed regulations saying that passengers in vehicles parked in "enclosed decks" must leave the vehicle during passage. Who knew! For years I routinely travelled to the Island for work and would choose to read, work, or sleep in the car, particularly on early morning starts, late night returns and at peak times, to avoid the mayhem of summer vacationers. It seems it took until 2017 before this "law" was applied BC Ferries and passengers were advised. Moreover, while BC Ferries' staff make the announcement, they do not enforce it. Under the guise it is Federal regulation, I guess this lack of enforcement ensures that BC is not liable for any consequences of non-compliance.

Fast forward to 2020. The cat is again among-the-pigeons. At the beginning of the summer Transport Canada suspended the requirement in order to address virus-spread concerns, illustrated on BC Ferries in the ritual stampede for food and drink upon departure. The suspension was revoked a couple of months ago (after mask wearing finally became acceptable), but not before old wounds were reopened. On behalf of the citizenry, a number letters were exchanged between the provincial officials and Ottawa, along the lines of: On what risk data were these decisions based? What is the exact definition of an enclosed vehicle deck? Will the RCMP now start to enforce this requirement including checks on RVs and truck sleepers? Etc.

Anyway, with restrictions on travel here in BC, and with suspension of the Atlantic bubble, this should largely be a moot point, but come the hiatus between the current and next wave I am sure it will be debated some more. Stay tuned.

Cheers

Cliff