BC Ferries replaces CEO Nicolas Jimenez and launches service review

BC Ferries has abruptly ousted its president and chief executive officer, Nicolas Jimenez, as the board of directors initiates a sweeping structural review of the coastal transit network. The sudden leadership shift arrives in the wake of a provincial general election that brought a decisive majority victory for the Conservative Party of British Columbia, putting renewed political scrutiny on the operations of the provincially owned transport provider.

According to an announcement issued by BC Ferries board chair Cathy McLay, Brian Anderson — formerly the company’s vice-president of strategy and planning — assumes the role of interim president and CEO immediately, as reported by Daily Hive. Meanwhile, executive vice-president and chief financial officer Dallyn Willis takes over Anderson's former planning responsibilities and will spearhead a newly ordered "Revitalization Review" under direct board oversight. The review aims to identify structural improvements and optimize service delivery for coastal communities, though the board has not released specific operational targets or an exact completion timeline.

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Jimenez's departure caps a tenure marked by substantial challenges, including aging infrastructure, fleet modernization efforts, and persistent public frustration over sailing cancellations and delays. An investigation by CBC News noted that sailing cancellations across network routes tripled from 2017 to 2025, while delayed sailings climbed from 11 percent to 16 percent. During his time at the helm, Jimenez defended a controversial $1 billion contract awarded to a Chinese state-owned shipyard in Shandong province to construct four new major hybrid-electric vessels by spring 2029, a decision that drew heavy criticism from both provincial and national politicians regarding domestic shipbuilding capacity.

The leadership transition also unfolds against a tense backdrop of labour relations. Eric McNeely, president of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union, stated that approximately 4,500 unionized employees have gone about a year without a renewed collective agreement. McNeely expressed cautious optimism regarding the management shakeup, noting that labour representatives had anticipated leadership changes and a broader operational review amid growing public dissatisfaction with overloaded routes and high fares during the summer travel season, as covered by the Times Colonist and Vancouver Sun.

Political dynamics have heavily influenced BC Ferries executive offices in recent years. Jimenez originally assumed the top job in March 2023 following the ouster of former CEO Mark Collins, a move executed shortly after former NDP cabinet minister Joy MacPhail was appointed board chair under the previous administration. MacPhail and two other directors left the board in mid-2026 after their terms expired and were not renewed, paving the way for McLay to transition from vice-chair to board chair, as detailed by CHEK News.

Financial pressures compound the administrative overhaul. Under the regulatory framework of the Coastal Ferry Act, BC Ferries undergoes a mandatory review every four years to establish required service levels and set limits on fare increases. The independent BC Ferries Commissioner is currently reviewing financial and operating plans to determine allowable average fare increases covering the period from April 2028 through March 2032. A preliminary decision is scheduled by the end of March 2027, with final limits established by September 2027. Previously, Jimenez warned that escalating capital and operational costs would necessitate a one-time fare increase equivalent to roughly 30 percent by 2028 simply to maintain existing service levels.

Furthermore, the incoming Conservative administration led by premier-elect Lorne Doerkson has floated the concept of a B.C. Ferries Charter to legally enforce strict performance standards regarding reliability, punctuality, capacity, and affordability, as reported by Houston Today and the Surrey Now-Leader.

What to Watch Next

• The newly appointed interim leadership team will coordinate with the BC Ferry Authority, the provincial commissioner, and the incoming provincial government to establish future operating strategies.
• The independent ferry commissioner's preliminary decision regarding fare caps for the 2028–2032 regulatory cycle is expected by the end of March 2027.
• BC Ferries will conduct a formal search for a permanent president and CEO only after the "Revitalization Review" concludes.
• Ongoing negotiations between BC Ferries management and the marine workers' union will determine whether the leadership change brings a resolution to prolonged collective agreement talks.

For additional reporting on corporate transitions and transport infrastructure, consult our Business coverage.