NANAIMO (NEWS1130) – The BC government says it is not planning to close the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone says the Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay route will stay, despite saying a day ago its elimination was being considered.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong echoed Stone’s sentiments in the legislature today.

“There are no plans to eliminate the ferry service between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay. The minister has been clear about that, members of the government have been clear about that and now I can be clear about that.”

Stone says Liberal caucus members from the Island convinced him to change his mind.

Holly Kemp, the owner of Troll’s Restaurant and head of the Horseshoe Bay Business Association is relieved and also shocked by province’s fast response to kibosh the proposal.

She has a lot of questions about where the government and BC Ferries will get $200 million to renovate the ferry terminal. “Obviously, that’s going to help our businesses sustained, even if they do downsize the number of sailings that they have from us, they will still have this expenditure.”

Because the decision was made so quickly she remains a bit skeptical, as she says she won’t feel comfortable until legislation is passed. “I still have a year from now before I feel really comfortable in making the huge investments that I plan for Troll’s, and that I know that all the other business plan for their businesses going forward.”

She warns her village would turn into a ghost town if the route was scrapped.