The B.C. Ferry Authority is established and governed by the Coastal Ferry Act.

The Authority is a corporation without share capital which owns the single issued voting share of BC Ferries, the service provider under contract to the Province of British Columbia responsible for the delivery of ferry service along coastal British Columbia. The Province is the holder of all of the preferred (non-voting) shares of BC Ferries.

The Authority is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of BC Ferries in support of the public interest, appointing the Board of Directors of BC Ferries and for establishing compensation plans for the Directors and Executives of BC Ferries.