Despite an ongoing trade war with the U.S., BC Ferries is contemplating a contract with Elon-Musk-owned-internet-company Starlink.
In July 2021, BC Ferries removed its free onboard passenger Wi-Fi from vessels due to outdated technology. It’s now looking for a replacement.
BC Ferries is one of the largest ferry operators in the world, transporting more than 60,000 people and 23,000 vehicles daily throughout coastal B.C. The service, which is owned by a private company, B.C. Ferry Authority, started testing Starlink in early December 2024. The trial was restricted to crew members.
Starlink already serves around 400,000 Canadian customers and has introduced a maritime service specifically aimed at providing internet to large vessels.
However, Sonia Lowe, a spokesperson for the company, said in an email that Starlink isn’t a done deal, only an option. BC Ferries plans to conduct a public procurement process to acquire an internet service provider.
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“Whether at sea or in a terminal, we need systems that work in all conditions across the geography we operate. Through this process, we’ll be weighing reliability, safety benefits, cost, and long-term service,” Lowe said.
She added that BC Ferries is assessing all available and affordable connectivity solutions, including whether there are Canadian alternatives that can meet the company’s needs.
People, however, are pushing back against BC Ferries’ potential Starlink contract. An online petition started by a member of the public asks the company to avoid any dealings with Starlink. The petition voiced concerns around dealings with Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who’s played a significant role in promoting U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canadian goods.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also taken a stance against Starlink. On March 4, he announced that he was ending a provincial contract signed with Starlink in November 2024, valued at $100 million. “We’re ripping up Ontario’s contract with Starlink. It’s done. It’s gone. We won’t award contracts to people who enable and encourage economic attacks on our province and our country,” Ford said during a press conference.
This is the second time Ford has threatened to cancel the contract. Ford also threatened to end the contract in early February, but delayed the decision after Trump held off on the tariffs until March. Ford has said that the decision this time is permanent, despite Trump announcing on March 6 that he would once again delay tariffs on many Canadian goods until April.
Ford has not commented on whether there will be an alternative company filling the space of Starlink. But as part of Ontario’s retaliation against U.S. tariffs, Ford has banned the provincial government from awarding any contracts to U.S. companies. Ford estimates that this will cost U.S. companies tens of billions of dollars.
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B.C. is also taking a hard line against the U.S. While the provincial government has no say over BC Ferries’ internet provider, Premier David Eby has banned liquor from Republican states in B.C. Liquor Stores. He estimates that this will cost U.S. manufacturers $40 million per year. Eby has also directed all provincial government and Crown corporations to buy goods and services from Canada or countries other than the U.S.
On top of this, the B.C. government is pushing through new legislation removing interprovincial trade barriers, mandating that low-carbon fuels added to gasoline and diesel must be produced in Canada, and introducing tolls for any U.S. commercial vehicles using B.C. infrastructure to travel to Alaska.
“The tariffs imposed by Trump are a profound mistake and are hurting families on both sides of the border,” Eby said in a statement. “My team will continue to work hard every day to defend British Columbians through this and come out stronger on the other side. Every option is on the table.”
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