B.C. First Nations to monitor ocean traffic

Transport Minister Marc Garneau says efforts to protect Canada’s coastlines from vessel spills include new partnerships with Indigenous communities. Garneau was in Vancouver speaking to the Chamber of Shipping Tuesday and says a pilot project is being launched this fall under the $1.5-billion oceans protection plan to help Indigenous communities monitor vessel traffic. The project is being launched in 10 communities including Haida and Gitga’at Nations on B.C.’s north coast to test and develop new maritime awareness information systems. Garneau says $1.2 million has also been awarded to Aqua- Guard Spill Response Inc. of North Vancouver for equipment to support the coast guard in spill cleanup.