Say it ain’t so. B.C. Ferries CEO David Hahn is disembarking from his giant gravy boat. On Tuesday morning, he announced he will retire Dec. 31 as part of a series of cost saving measures expected to generate approximately $11 million this fiscal year for the supposedly cash-strapped corporation, which the B.C. Liberal government privatized in 2003.
Hahn’s salary has come under fire over the years, particularly when it was made public that he earns approximately $1.2 million a year in salary and benefits and will receive approximately $300,000 per year from two pensions when he retires. A guy’s gotta live.
“This has not been an easy decision,” Hahn said in the statement, before retreating back to his diamond-encrusted, gold-plated lair where he’s been known to frolic in piles of money like a child rolling in raked leaves. “But it will help facilitate a more constructive dialogue around future service levels and funding. I want to be clear on one thing. It’s my choice to retire and it is on my terms that I’m leaving.”
This comes after reports that B.C. Ferries plans to cancel up to 400 sailings on major routes to make up for its sinking profits and lower passenger turnout, which of course, has nothing to do with the fact that fares have increased steadily since Hahn and his $1.2- million salary took over.
But if it makes you feel any better, Hahn probably has a mere 20 or 30 years left to live on his meagre pension and will probably be forced to take a cushy, symbolic corporate gig to keep up with the cost of living. Perhaps on an island with low ferry fares.
