BC Ferries is making plans to replace the ferry terminals serving Cortes Island, starting next fall.
In documents filed with the province, the ferry corporation says docks at Heriot Bay on Quadra Island and at Whaletown on Cortes both need to be replaced, and updated to accommodate a new, larger Island-class ferry.
BC Ferries has applied for permission to operate a temporary tug-and-barge service and use Island Timberlands’ barge site in Gorge Harbour while the terminals are under construction, to make sure residents can still travel and maintain essential goods and services. The service would run for up to 10 weeks starting in January 2026.
Foot passengers will not use the service, they will be transported with a water taxi.
BC Ferries held an open house on Cortes in spring to talk about the project and was collecting feedback online until July 29; on July 30 they published a “What We Heard” report from the event. There were 50 attendees and 209 people responded online.
Most feedback was positive; the number one request from the public was for a water taxi service directly between Cortes and Campbell River. However, BC Ferries said that would not be possible.
The corporation will return to the community in August to discuss the feedback, and present a timeline for next steps leading up to the start of construction in fall 2025.
