The Seaspan barge in Duke Point moves more cargo now than BC Ferries. In fact, I think most containerized freight moves by the Seaspan barge on and off Vancouver Island.

Hullo is starting a foot passenger ferry this August, downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Vancouver. There is also Harbour Air. If you are bringing your car though, it's pretty much only BC Ferries. Technically you can take the Coho to Washington State and then drive around though.

A freight oriented bridge island hopping up past Campbell River is probably the most economically sound, and could even tie the island into the North America rail network. The Nanaimo port is somewhat limited, since offloaded cargo still has to get to the mainland. I guess if you are already retired though, you probably don't care about challenges to island industry.