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MP Malcolmson wants 'permanent solutions' to derelict vessels

British Columbia’s coastal communities have been “very patient” and “very persistent” when it comes to derelict vessels.
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A man salvages materials from a boat in Ladysmith's Dog Patch earlier this week.

British Columbia’s coastal communities have been “very patient” and “very persistent” when it comes to derelict vessels but are looking for answers on when the Liberals will table legislation, says Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Sheila Malcolmson.

“We’re looking for permanent solutions so that communities do not have to work as hard as Ladysmith did to have this four year old problem resolved,” she said recently in the House of Commons.

Last year the Liberal government introduced a so-called National Oceans Protection Plan but are yet to provide details.

Derelict vessels continue to be an issue across coastal communities, including Ladysmith where an abandoned vessel sits grounded off Slag Beach.

“You can’t penalize people that you can’t find and there are already the remedies to take a person who has abandoned their vessel to court.

“I’m looking for the government’s assurance that the National Ocean Protection Plan was not just PR to soften the blow of a Kinder Morgan oil tanker approval that we sure did not want on our coast.

Karen McCrimmon, parliamentary secretary to the minister of transport said the government, as part of the $1.5-billion protection plan, does have some of the details hammered out.

“Our government will work with provincial, territorial and local governments and indigenous groups to support the cleanup of smaller, high priority vessels, posing risks to coastal communities and develop plans to address larger commercial problem vessels according to the risk they pose,” she said.

Malcolmson rebutted the remarks by that another boating season is on the horizon and a small spill from a derelict vessel could put jobs and communities at stake.

“I’m frankly feeling optimistic but fed up. We need to know when you’re going to table this legislation.”

The Viki Lyne II was towed from the Ladysmith harbour in October after being here since 2012.

As a precautionary measure 20,000 litres of fuel and solvents were pumped off the boat, but 13,000 litres remained, posing a serious risk to the shellfish industry, tourism and recreation in Ladysmith.

The Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP plans to have her own Bill 219 debated in the spring and suggested possible solutions for derelict vessels such as more resources for the Coast Guard, investments in fiberglass research, boat amnesties, and making the Coast Guard the “one stop shopping so people don’t get the run around” for information.

McCrimmon assured the House that the plan is part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to the Minister of Transport.

“The more specific measures will be announced as part of a comprehensive plan but comprehensive plans, they’re not made overnight,” she said. “That new legislation is expected soon.”

 





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