Government of Canada supports removal and disposal of abandoned boats through the Oceans Protection Plan
News release
May 18, 2018 - Bowen Island, British Columbia
Canada’s coastlines are a source of inspiration and pride. Even for Canadians living inland, many of the jobs that support middle-class families, and the products used every day, depend on Canada’s waterways. These coastlines are one of our most valuable resources, and with them come tremendous responsibility to protect them.
Abandoned boats are a growing problem across Canada and the Government of Canada, under the Oceans Protection Plan, is working diligently to deter this irresponsible practice. Today, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country Pamela Goldsmith-Jones announced, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, the applicants who will receive funding under the Abandoned Boats Program. This program provides funding to support the assessment, removal and disposal of abandoned boats from our communities.
Over $80,000 will be granted to remove two boats and assess 29 boats that litter the shores of British Columbia. Recipients receiving funding to remove abandoned boats:
- Bowen Island Municipality (Bowen Island, British Columbia) – $6,000
- District of West Vancouver (Caulfield Cove, British Columbia) – $10,000
Recipients receiving funding to assess abandoned boats:
- Capital Regional District (Victoria, British Columbia) – $15,000
- Pender Harbour Advisory Council (Garden Bay, British Columbia) – $16,175
- Nanaimo Port Authorities (Nanaimo, British Columbia) – $20,000
- Beaufort Range Marine Group Ltd. (Courtenay and Union Bay, British Columbia) – $13,200
Assessments help identify safety issues, environmental impact, recycling value and costs associated with removing an abandoned boat. Once an assessment is completed, applicants may apply for funding under the Abandoned Boats Program to have a boat removed and disposed.
The Abandoned Boats Program will be allocated a total of $6.85 million in funding under the Oceans Protection Plan—a $1.5 billion initiative which is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. This national strategy is creating a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today, while protecting our coastlines and clean water for generations to come. The strategy is being developed in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples, local stakeholders and coastal communities.
Quotes
“Within the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada launched the Abandoned Boats Program to address the negative effects of abandoned vessels, like the ones in Bowen Island, Garden Bay on the Sunshine Coast and in West Vancouver, for example. Congratulations to all selected communities for working with us to address environmental pollution and hazards to navigation caused by these abandoned vessels."
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones
Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country
“Through the Abandoned Boats Program, funding for the assessment, removal and disposal of abandoned boats is safeguarding British Columbia’s shorelines. The Government of Canada has created this program to protect our coastal livelihoods, our economy, as well as our Canadian identity.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
“We appreciate this funding to help us deal with the cost of removing abandoned boats that pose safety and environmental risks for our Bowen waters and beaches. As a small municipality, finding funds to deal with vessels of concern is difficult.”
Councillor Alison Morse, Acting Mayor, Bowen Island Municipality
Quick facts
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To help stem the flow of problem vessels, the Government of Canada has proposed new legislation governing wrecked, abandoned, and hazardous vessels. The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (Bill C-64) will bring the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, into Canadian law and strengthen vessel owner liability.
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The Abandoned Boats Program provides grant and contribution funding to assess, remove and dispose of abandoned and wrecked small boats that pose a hazard in Canadian waters.
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Other important measures undertaken by the Government of Canada include improving vessel owner identification, creating an inventory of vessels and assessing their risks, and establishing a robust polluter pays approach for vessel clean up.
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A third call for proposals under the Assessment and Removal component was launched on April 3, 2018, and will remain open until March 31, 2019. Additional calls for proposal will be issued later in 2019.
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Contacts
Follow Transport Canada on Twitter: @Transport_gc
Marjan Hatai
Office of Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, MP
604-913-2660
Pam.goldsmith-jones.c1a@parl.gc.ca
Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honorable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca
Media Inquiries
Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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