No. H076/06For release July 6, 2006
BEN EOIN, NOVA SCOTIA – Regulations to prevent the discharge of sewage by all recreational and commercial vessels operating in Bras d'Or Lake, Nova Scotia, were announced today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. The Pleasure Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations will further protect the aquatic species in the lake, as well as the health and safety of its users.
Over the past years, there have been multiple programs to help educate users of Bras d'Or Lake on how to protect the aquatic environment. These programs have included advertising and information campaigns. However, as a result of ongoing sewage contamination, shellfish harvesting has had to be curtailed in some areas, while some of the lake's beaches had to be closed.
"The Government of Canada knows how important these requirements are to the marine environment and Nova Scotians," said Minister MacKay. "By prohibiting the discharge of sewage into Bras d'Or Lake, the quality of the water will be enhanced and fish and wildlife habitat will be protected for years to come."
"We must work hard to protect our natural treasures," said Minister Cannon. "Bras d'Or Lake in Nova Scotia is definitely one of them, and we are proud to have worked closely with provincial and local authorities to bring about tougher regulations."
"Bras d'Or Lake is Cape Breton's jewel and one of Nova Scotia's most beautiful natural attractions," said Mark Parent, Nova Scotia's Minister of Environment and Labour. "That's why it was so important for the Government of Nova Scotia, in cooperation with a group of dedicated stakeholders, to propose this regulatory change. The regulations will help to ensure the lake remains a healthy place for generations to come."
The changes apply to recreational vessels under the Pleasure Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act, and will automatically also apply to commercial vessels under the Non-Pleasure Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations. These two sets of regulations were developed in the 1990s to protect sensitive marine areas from the potential damage of sewage discharges by vessels. The regulations are for bodies of water designated by the provinces.
Bras d'Or Lake is being designated the first lake in Nova Scotia where pleasure craft cannot discharge sewage into the lake. The Pitu'paq Partnership, the Una'maki Institute of Natural Resources, the Bras d'Or Stewardship Society, the Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development, the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and Culture, the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour, the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada collaboratively submitted an application for the designation.
Today's requirements will make Bras d'Or Lake the first body of water with this designation in Nova Scotia and will add it to other designated bodies of water in British Columbia and Manitoba. Vessel operators will be prevented from discharging sewage in all connected waters between Carey Point and Noir Point in Great Bras d'Or, south of Alder Point in Little Bras d'Or and north of the seaward end of St. Peters Canal.
The requirements have been developed through extensive consultations with the public, municipalities and provincial and federal governments. Users of the lake have also been advised of this upcoming change by means of signs placed around the lake during the summer, and brochures distributed at major events and locations frequently used by boaters.
The requirements were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on June 28, 2006.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Kirsten Goodnough
Communications,
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
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