The Sidney-Anacortes ferry service that traversed the San Juan Islands for nearly a century ceased operations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In late February of this year, Washington State Ferries announced that the American side of the ferry service would not be willing to resume the ferry service until 2030 — a decision which left many on both sides of the borders dismayed.
The latest in the journey to get the Sidney-Anacortes ferry operational again is that on April 19th Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith has penned a letter to Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington State, in order to plead the case for expedited reinstatement.
“I am writing you as Mayor of Sidney, British Columbia to urge you to consider opportunities to restore the international ferry service between Sidney and Anacortes as soon as possible,” wrote Mayor McNeil-Smith.
“This ferry service is a significant contributor to our regional economy; it also plays an invaluable role in facilitating cultural preservation and connection among Coast Salish people on both sides of the border.”
Sidney’s mayor spoke to the history of the ferry service and the significance to the township in the letter while speaking to the shock of all of Vancouver Islanders who rode the ferry when the reinstatement of the service was pushed back by our American counterparts.
“During the ferry’s most recent year of service in 2019, it transported approximately 136,000 passengers,” wrote Mayor McNeil-Smith.
“The absence of these travelers continues to be felt by the region’s business community today. Visitors taking this route to Vancouver lsland would arrive on Sidney’s waterfront just a few blocks south of our downtown commercial core.”
“Local hotels, restaurants, and shops were sustained in part by the flow of visitors from Washington State,” he added.
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He continued in his letter that the route was crucial to Indigenous Peoples on both sides of the colonial border which divides land that was undivided for time immemorial.
“ln recent weeks, I have had discussions with Chiefs and representatives of W̱SÁNEĆ Nations, who have emphasized another valuable aspect of the Sidney-Anacortes ferry service: this route is critical to their communities for practicing and preserving lndigenous culture with family and friends in the San Juan lslands and Anacortes region.”
“While the international border creates a barrier through the traditional territory of Coast Salish people, for decades Washington State Ferries has helped bridge this gap. The ferry makes it feasible for Samish and W̱SÁNEĆ people to attend ceremonies, maintain relationships, access work opportunities, and practice their culture together.”
“Reinstating this ferry route in a timely manner is an achievable way Washington State can support the wellbeing of Coast Salish people and their cultural preservation efforts.”
Mayor McNeil-Smith ended his letter with a plea to the Governor to get the ferry up and running again on a permanent basis long before 2030.
Next steps for the Township of Sidney is to wait for a reply from Governor Inslee and hope that the State of Washington makes this little ferry route a priority for the sake of the local economies of Anacortes and Sidney alike.
