NDP tables a plan to clean up polluting abandoned vessels off Canada’s coastlines

OTTAWA – On Thursday, NDP Fisheries and Oceans critic Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo – Ladysmith) tabled a private members bill that would create a plan to prevent and clean up derelict vessels off Canada’s coastlines.

“Abandoned vessels in Canadian waters have been left to sink, polluting our oceans, harming wildlife, and threatening food security,” said Barron. “Canadians who live on our coasts know all too well the harm, seeing what locals call vessel graveyards lining the coast. It’s time something is done about it.”

As derelict and abandoned vessels litter Canada`s west coast, First Nations and local organizations have told the Liberal government they’re willing to clean up this mess. All they need is support.

But after eight years of the Liberals dragging their feet, many local groups are fed up as abandoned vessels continue to rapidly increase. In the last six years the number of abandoned vessels has only gone up, yet since the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act came into force in 2019, the Liberals have only given out a single fine to a vessel owner who abandoned their ship.

On the other side, the Conservatives before them had no plan at all for these vessels.

MP Barron’s bill would create a national strategy that works with coastal communities and First Nations.

“Canadians deserve to know their government is doing everything possible to protect coastal communities and the surrounding marine ecosystems.” added Barron. “I’m excited to be working with my NDP colleagues to press the Liberals to deliver a plan to clean up our oceans and protect our communities for generations to come.”