In carrying out its role as watchdog, the Commission may launch a probe. This could be a question of clarification formally put to BC Ferries by the Commission, or a longer line of inquiry, possibly leading to a corrective order.
If you as a member of the public have information suggesting how the performance, service quality, efficiency or productivity of BC Ferries could be improved, the Commission would be pleased to hear from you. Efficiency in ferry services helps keep down both ferry fares and government subsidies. Based on your input or entirely on its own initiative, the Commission could launch a probe.
Below is a list of probes initiated to date and BC Ferries’ responses.
| Probe Topic | Date Initiated | Origin |
| Quarterly Price Cap Compliance Index Calculations | January 2013 | Commissioner |
| MV Tachek Mid-Life Extension Project | October 2012 | Commissioner |
| Efficient Service to Mid-Coast | July 2010 | Commissioner |
| Gabriola Route On-Time Performance | May 2010 | Gabriola Resident |
| Adequate Crewing | October 2009, following up from May 2007 and July 2006 | Commissioner, with earlier enquiry from a customer who was refused boarding |
| On-Time Performance on Route 1 | June 2009 | Commissioner |
| Departure Bay Tendering Process | October 2007 | Independent Contractors and Businesses Association |
| Bowen Island Service Quality | October 2007 | Deputy Commissioner, following a number of customer complaints |
| Regulation of Assured Loading | October 2006 | Commissioner |
| Tax Credits for Ferry Commuters on Monthly Passes | July 2006 (updated May 2007) | Commuter on BC Ferries’ Langdale to Horseshoe Bay route |
| Six Questions on BC Ferries’ FY2004/05 Report to the Commission | February 2006 | Commissioner |
| Reasons for Sailing Cancellations, FY2004/5 compared to FY2003/4 | November 2005 | Commissioner |
| Administrative Overhead Increase | November 2004 | Commissioner |
| Capital Expenditure Near Swartz Bay Terminal Boundary | November 2004 | Deputy Commissioner |
| Bond Issues: use of proceeeds and solvency of BC Ferries | October 2004 | Member of Powell River Community Coalition |
| Chronic Tardiness on Route 25 (Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula) | February 2004 | Alert Bay Councillor |
