No. H 123/09
For release - September 11, 2009
OTTAWA — Canada's Transport Minister John Baird today announced that new regulatory amendments enable the Pacific Pilotage Authority to adjust its general tariffs of pilotage charges for vessels that are 226 metres or more in overall length.
Under the current Pacific Pilotage Tariff Regulations, the criteria for calculating tariffs of pilotage charges result in higher charges for fully laden cargo vessels than for cruise ships. The amended regulations equalize the charges by allowing the Pacific Pilotage Authority to introduce a gross tonnage charge and eliminate the current charge for navigating through the Seymour Narrows channel.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our government is taking steps to get Canada's economy moving," said Baird. "These adjustments will mean big things for the shipping industry off Canada's west coast. Keeping charges fair for all users of this pilotage service sends a strong signal that Canada is still open for business in this time of global economic uncertainty."
The Pacific Pilotage Authority is responsible for operating, maintaining and administering, in the interests of safety, an efficient pilotage service within all Canadian waters in and around British Columbia. The Pilotage Act allows the Pacific Pilotage Authority to prescribe tariffs of pilotage charges that are fair and reasonable, and that permit the Authority to operate on a self-sustaining financial basis.
The Regulations Amending the Pacific Pilotage Tariff Regulations were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on April 11, 2009 and no comments nor notices of objection were received. The amendments came into effect on August 1, 2009 and were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on August 19, 2009.
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