A Vancouver Island MP’s private member’s bill on derelict and abandoned vessels is being welcomed by people concerned about the issue on the Sunshine Coast.
Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Sheila Malcolmson of the NDP introduced Bill C-352 in Parliament April 13, just days after delegates at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities AGM offered unanimous support.
Malcolmson’s bill, which is similar to one introduced by the previous NDP MP for the riding, Jean Crowder, would designate the Canadian Coast Guard as the agency responsible for directing the removal and recycling of abandoned vessels.
It also calls for a coast-wide strategy in collaboration with local and provincial governments and improved vessel registration systems, and seeks to prevent vessels from being abandoned in the first place by creating a “turn-in” program and supporting local marine salvage businesses.
“In absence of federal leadership on this issue, I’m proposing a comprehensive solution to clean up abandoned vessels and protect our coasts,” said Malcolmson after tabling her bill.
“Abandoned vessels are a serious environmental and navigational hazard. They’re a major source of oil spills, jeopardizing valuable aquaculture and commercial fishing jobs, and threatening tourism. Until now, gaps in jurisdiction have left coastal communities with nowhere to turn for help.”
Ian Winn, the Sunshine Coast Regional District director for West Howe Sound, has been pushing for action on the derelict vessel file for several years and said in his report to the April 13 board meeting that he was impressed by the presentations from Malcolmson and others at the AVICC meeting.
“The collaboration is good between her and our own MP, Pam Goldsmith-Jones, on abandoned and derelict vessels and it’s really encouraging to hear that we can go across party lines and work to find solutions,” he said.
Winn added that he’s also hoping to see something from the federal government soon on how its $1.5-billion Ocean Protection Plan will tackle the derelicts issue and problems with other structures and debris like foam floats from docks that have broken up during storms or been left to deteriorate.
Pender Harbour director Frank Mauro, who also sits on the Harbour Authority board in that area, told fellow directors that strategies for dealing with derelict and abandoned vessels and marine structures remain high on the agenda for the Pacific Region Harbour Authority Advisory Committee, which was scheduled to meet April 21.
