The British Columbia Ferry Corporation has just decided to raise fares, decrease essential service to many island communities up and down the coast of British Columbia and cut senior discounts to our aged population as of April 1st, 2014 . According to a recent article in the Vancouver Province "

BC Ferries has awarded pay and bonus hikes to top executives after posting a modest profit this year that critics argue was only possible because of an increased government subsidy.

The quasi-independent ferry corporation revealed Friday that its board of directors boosted salary and perks for its CEO and almost doubled bonuses for two executive vice-presidents in the fiscal year that ended March 31.

Executive vice-president Glen Schwartz saw his "annual incentive" pay increase to $127,008, up $64,298.

Robert Clark, executive vice-president and chief financial officer, saw his bonus jump to $133,711, up $73,359, Schwartz and Clarke each earned close to $500,000 overall, which is less than in previous years because BC Ferries cancelled a long-term bonus plan that had paid tens of thousands in additional money.