U.S. Senate passes bill allowing cruise ships to bypass B.C.
There are fears temporary move could become permanent
B.C.'s cruise ship industry is warning that U.S. ships are one step closer to bypassing B.C. ports after the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to allow Alaska-bound cruise ships to bypass Victoria and Vancouver.
The Alaska Tourism Recovery Act would temporarily exempt cruise ships from current regulations that require vessels to stop in a foreign country. In B.C., cruise ships en route to Alaska typically stop in Vancouver, Victoria or Prince Rupert. The bill is aimed at salvaging Alaska's struggling tourism industry, which relies heavily on cruise ships, while Canadian ports remain closed to cruise ships until at least Feb. 28, 2022.
The legislation, introduced by Alaskan senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, could face a vote in the U.S. House this week.
While the legislation in its current form is a temporary measure, there's a risk it could become permanent, said Ian Robertson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
“The severity if it were to happen really ratchets up the concern,” said Robertson.
The prospect of losing cruise ships would be particularly disastrous for Victoria which, unlike Vancouver, is not a home port and relies on stops from ships leaving from Seattle or San Francisco.
Robertson spoke with Tourism Minister Melanie Mark and Transportation Minister Rob Fleming on Monday. He is urging the B.C. government to sway Ottawa on the prospect of “technical stops” which would allow cruise ships to drop anchor for refuelling while passengers remain on board. That option would give B.C. port authorities a chance to collect docking fees and recall some staff, Robertson said, however, it would not help tourism businesses.
Walt Judas, CEO of Tourism Industry Association of B.C., has asked Ottawa to consider reopening the cruise ship season earlier than February.
“Cruise ships are sailing in other parts of the world,” said Judas, noting other countries are using rapid testing and proof of vaccination as some of the safety measures. “There are ways for it to be done so that it is still safe for communities that welcome cruise ships.”
So far, the federal government has not supported opening up to technical stops or indicated it could budge on welcoming cruise ships before February.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not said whether international travellers coming into Canada will be required to show proof of vaccinations or whether Canadians will be issued vaccine passports to allow them to travel abroad without having to quarantine.
Judas said that continued uncertainty is frustrating for the tourism industry. “We don't have any clear direction. Tell us what it will take, allow us to work with government on a restart plan. If we know the goalposts and we know what we're working toward we can put plans in place to get people moving again.
B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism said in a statement the legislation is clear that the changes would be automatically rescinded when Canadian ports reopen to cruise ships.
“This means that as soon as Canadian ports are ready to welcome cruise ships again, they will be required by U.S. law to stop here on their way to Alaska, even if the current bill becomes law,” the ministry said in the statement.
Premier John Horgan has reached out to discuss the matter with Alaska senators, the statement said.
“Our government has been relentless in our advocacy to the federal government to support and defend B.C.'s tourism industry and all the people, businesses and communities who depend on it,” the ministry said.