Gov't Still Open to Slots on Ferries Despite Dozens of Obstacles

The British Columbia government is still considering putting slot machines or other chances to gamble on BC Ferries, but has made little progress, Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.

"Nothing new to update other than to say discussions continue," said Stone, noting his ministry has been talking with BC Ferries, the BC Lotteries Corporation and the ministry of finance. "We're still working our way through all of the details of what that project could look like."

Slots on Ferries a Complicated Bet, Warned Finance Ministry

After Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced BC Ferries' proposal to put slot machines on its vessels last year, the finance ministry began compiling a list of concerns that ranged from the need to rewrite provincial gambling laws to the likely violation of the federal criminal code.

Records released to The Tyee in response to a freedom of information request show the finance ministry had a dozen "considerations" about the Nov. 2013 proposal, and that Stone had already taken the idea to cabinet without consulting the branch of the finance ministry that regulates gambling in the province.

Cities Reject Minister's Proposal They Help Pay for BC Ferries

Representatives of British Columbian municipalities meeting in Whistler this week rejected Transportation Minister Todd Stone's suggestion that local governments should contribute money to run BC Ferries.

"Local governments don't provide funding to BC Ferries because it is a provincial transportation system, and that's the end of the conversation," said Sheila Malcolmson, chair of the Islands Trust.

Opinion Spelling out the Destruction of BC Ferries' Pact with Islanders

Dictionaries -- loosely definable as collections of alphabetically-arranged words accompanied by their agreed-upon definitions -- have been known to humankind since 2300 BCE. Since then, they have come a long way. Tougher paper, more reliable ink, tighter binding, clearer wordage, and lately online access have made dictionary use a handy enterprise for third-graders, poets, and lawyers alike.

As someone who is in the business of writing I've personally found their functionality to be remarkable. So, for this holiday season I have resolved to donate a dictionary to people who seemingly can't afford one: BC Ferries and the Government of British Columbia. It's inspiring to think what they might learn. Words like: