NDP government pledges to make good on BC Ferries and BC Hydro election promises

B.C.'s new Transportation and Infrastructure Minister, Claire Trevena, says key election promises related to BC Ferries will be fulfilled in the next few weeks. 

The NDP's election platform called for the freezing of fares on major routes and a 15 per cent reduction of fares back on minor routes. It also promised that seniors would travel free during the week.

"We are absolutely committed to making sure that life is more affordable for people," Trevena told CBC News.

"That includes dealing with ferry fares. They were out of control over the last 16 years when the Liberal government just walked away from the island communities."

Meanwhile, the new government says it will freeze BC Hydro rates by next April, as changes are made at the top of the Crown corporation.

Kenneth Peterson has replaced former Liberal adviser Brad Bennett as the chair of BC Hydro's board.

Peterson is the former CEO of Powerex, the energy trading and marketing subsidiary of BC Hydro.

The board will now likely make a decision about current BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald, who also has deep Liberal ties.

Before assuming her current role, McDonald was Premier Gordon Campbell's deputy minister.

Finance Minister Carole James told CBC News the former government mismanaged the public utility.

With files from Richard Zussman