Abandoned ships require seaworthy solution
Bill addressing environmental threat comes to a vote this week
A Trudeau governmentsupported motion to be voted on this week includes only “platitudes” to deal with the serious and growing problem of derelict vessels on Canada’s coastline, according to the NDP.
The motion, calling on Ottawa to work with other levels of government to take “meaningful steps” on the matter, is intended to signal Ot- tawa is serious about dealing with a problem.
Government officials have said the problem has worsened since a 2012 Transport Canada report identified an inventory of 240 abandoned vessels on Canada’s coasts, including 42 in B.C.
Some of the vessels, like the historic Laurier II that was towed from Deep Bay to Ladysmith last month, contain significant amounts of hazardous substances and present risks to navigational safety, the environment and local fisheries.
“It is clear that coastal communities in British Columbia, Quebec, and in the Atlantic region consider the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels and wrecks as one that negatively affects their enjoyment of their local marine environment,” Kate Young, parliamentary secretary to Transport Minister Marc Garneau, said in June after introducing amendments to a Liberal backbencher’s motion on the issue.
But a Vancouver Island MP said Monday that the very amendments Young introduced watered down a motion that was already weak. For instance, one amendment changed the motion’s proposed pledge to “create a mechanism” to solve the problem with the words “identify mechanisms.”
“They keep saying, ‘yes, we intend to take action on this file,’ ” said Sheila Malcolmson, one of a number of NDP MPs who have been pressing the issue dating back to at least 2011. “But they just give us platitudes.”
Despite its criticism, the NDP, saying it will recognize that half a loaf is better than none, will support the motion when it comes to a vote later this week.
Among the derelict ships is the Laurier II, a former RCMP patrol vessel and later a Royal Canadian Navy gunboat during the Second World War.
In its final, seaworthy years the vessel was believed to have been used for drug-running before being abandoned at Deep Bay near Qualicum Beach.
The Canadian Coast Guard, fearful a leak would sink the Laurier II and cause a potentially serious pollution problem, last month towed it to Ladysmith to have the pollutants removed. And earlier this month, the federal government towed the Viki Lyne II from Ladysmith Harbour to Nanaimo, where it is to be dismantled.
Malcolmson, who has proposed a bill to give the Canadian Coast Guard clear authority to take action, said Ottawa is taking action only in specific situations when MPs raise a fuss and generate local expressions of concern.
Denying it is dragging its feet on the issue, the government has said the matter is complex and cuts across several jurisdictions.
Coastal communities in British Columbia, Quebec, and in the Atlantic region consider the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels and wrecks as one that negatively affects their enjoyment of their local marine environment.