The B.C. Ferry Coalition announced its first round of protests against B.C. Ferries service cuts to coastal communities on Tuesday.

Seven protests will take place Jan. 18 at locations along the Sunshine Coast.

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A larger protest at the legislature is also being planned.

The coalition is a grassroots organization of people who live in coastal communities and rely on B.C. Ferries service. It is not affiliated with local advisory committees.

The coalition took root last month on the Sunshine Coast and launched its website on Tuesday, said co-ordinator Jef Keighley.

The online presence is a way for citizens along the coast to stay informed and have input on B.C. Ferries cutbacks, which go into effect in April, Keighley said.

By announcing the ferry cutbacks before Christmas, the government was hoping to stall any opposition, Keighley suggests.

“We’ll be looking to establish a date in the not too distant future, maybe late February or early March, where we can do a coast-wide [protest], where there’s more planning time,” he said.

The coalition is gaining support from chambers of commerce, regional districts and many individual citizens, he said.

Ferry service affects a broad swath of the coastal population, Keighley said.

“People are just aghast at how callously this government regards coastal communities — they’re basically starving and strangling our economy,” he said.

Sunshine Coast protesters are urged to write letters to Premier Christy Clark.

“Tell her we need affordable, reliable and sustainable B.C. Ferries to reinvigorate our coastal communities,” says a statement on the group’s website, bcferrycoalition.com.

“Bring colourful signs to show you care and join local government officials, community groups and citizens to tell the premier to stop the cuts and listen to the people.”

A recent round of community meetings sponsored by the province did not heed the many people who spoke out against the cutbacks, says a statement from the coalition.

The cutbacks, announced in late November, included an end to free passes for seniors and the installation of slot machines on ferries on major routes.

The planned cuts affect service to and from Port Hardy, Powell River, Comox, Texada Island, Gabriola Island, Thetis Island, Penelakut, Denman Island, Hornby Island and Quadra Island.

The Port Hardy-mid-coast-Bella Coola route is being eliminated during the summer months.

The cuts to the minor routes are expected to save $14 million.

smcculloch@timescolonist.com