BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez out as board launches leadership change

VANCOUVER – Nicolas Jimenez is out as CEO at BC Ferries in a “leadership transition” launched by the company’s board.

A news release from BC Ferries says Brian Anderson, the company’s vice-president of strategy and planning, has been appointed as the interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. 

The release says the board of directors has also started a “revitalization review” to address growing demands for safe, reliable services.

The exit of Jimenez comes two days after the provincial election was won by the B.C. Conservatives, who last year called for his firing after the company awarded a $1-billion contract to a Chinese state-owned company to build four new vessels.

The party also called for the firing of board chair Joy MacPhail, saying she and Jimenez had shown “a complete failure of judgment” by pushing forward with the contract with China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards despite Canada’s trade dispute with China.

The BC Ferries board says in its news release that it appreciates Jimenez for his contributions to the company and a search for a permanent successor will follow the revitalization review.

Jimenez told the House of Commons transport committee last year that BC Ferries received six compliant bids to replace its four oldest ships, all from foreign countries. 

While two Canadian shipyards pre-qualified for the competition, he said, neither chose to formally submit a proposal. 

The organization chose the proposal that offered the best combination of value, quality, delivery, speed and protections for customers, Jimenez said.

Jimenez was previously president and CEO of provincial auto insurer ICBC.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2026.