The Government of Canada invites you to participate in a discussion on the National Strategy to Address Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels. The Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways and one of the Plan’s main priorities is preserving and restoring marine ecosystems and habitats. The National Strategy to Address Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels is part of the Plan and more information about abandoned boats and wrecks is available here.
The Government of Canada would like to hear from you on key initiatives from the National Strategy, specifically:
- Enhancement of vessel owner identification: How can we enhance Canada’s pleasure craft licensing system to improve the accountability of pleasure craft owners?
- Long-term funding sources to remediate problem vessels: What are the options for establishing funds to address abandoned and wrecked vessels in the longer term, based on the polluter-pays principle?
- Implementation of federal legislation to regulate abandoned and wrecked vessels by recognizing the responsibility of vessel owners: How could your community be engaged in the implementation of the legislation?
The next in-person discussion will be held in Edmonton on November 30th, 2017. Details regarding time and location are to be determined.
There is funding available to cover costs for participation in the workshop for local communities (e.g. municipal governments, resident associations, individuals to represent local entities with no legal status) that are able to demonstrate that they are affected by the development or implementation of federal marine strategies and/or policies. More information about funding eligibility can be found here.
To register for the discussion in Edmonton, email Laura.Welsh@tc.gc.ca by November 17th, 2017.
If you are unable to participate in-person, there is opportunity to participate in the online discussion on National Strategy to Address Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels, and many others for the Oceans Protection Plan. To participate, click here.
Enquiries may be directed to:
Chelsea Parent
Policy Analyst
587.671.0124
Kim Heyman
Director, Advocacy & Communications
780.955.4079