Having seen BC Ferries fall from a $49.9 million profit in 2006 to a projected $20+ million loss this year, Million Dollar CEO David Hahn announced today that he is headed for the lifeboat and early retirement. Most taxpayers will be happy to see the back of this guy, who makes $1.2 million a year in salary and benefits (for that kind of money, he should be scoring 20 goals a year and anchoring the Canucks’ third line), starts retirement with a $314,000 annual pension, slashed sailings, and became increasing combative and defensive as the BC Ferries story turned sour.

Hahn seemed tone-deaf to what British Columbians were experiencing in terms of the global recession. He created a corporate environment where 60% of BC Ferries’ employees earn more than $89,000 a year—putting them in the top 5% of all Canadian income earners.

While families and seniors, especially on Vancouver Island, were struggling to pay increasing ferry rates, Hahn was approving million dollar ad contracts at Rogers Arena.

He priced the average user off the ferry. On Saturday, I had to go to Nanaimo for the BC Conservative AGM. I could pay $75, one-way, to take my car across to Duke Point, and drive into downtown Nanaimo. Or, I could pay $60 (taxes and free parking included), one-way, to fly Harbour Air from YVR directly into Nanaimo Harbour. Guess which I took? And I’m not alone.

Hahn fell out of touch with the average British Columbian’s view of the ferry system. They see it as an extension of the highway system—not a boutique tourist operation. The tourists are nice, but they shouldn’t be the focus: moving people and goods should be. The biggest round of applause at the BC Conservative AGM wasn’t for John Cummins getting tough on crime or wanting to cut taxes, it was for a simple statement: “BC Ferries should be part of the highways system.” He nearly got a standing ovation from the Nanaimo crowd.

I’ve heard repeatedly from MLAs who were frustrated and bothered by Hahn’s combative, secretive corporate culture. Despite a $106 million annual provincial subsidy, MLAs perceived BC Ferries to be slow to hand over any financial documents. It took special legislation to make them comply with Freedom of Information rules.

With Hahn’s departure, the stage is set for a new BC Ferries. It’s time for a sea-shift, a cultural change, starting at the top. I hope the next boss is from the outside, someone who understands the public relations side of running a corporation like BC Ferries, and will work to make amends with users, taxpayers, and government.