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M-64 Health of the ocean

44th Parliament, 1st Session

Motion Text

That:

(a) the House recognize that

(i) Canadians care deeply about the health of the ocean, and coastal communities depend on a thriving ocean ecosystem,

(ii) cruise ships generate significant amounts of pollutants that are harmful to human health, aquatic organisms and coastal ecosystems,

(iii) Canada's regulations under the Canada Shipping Act to control dumping and pollution from cruise ships are the weakest along the west coast of North America,

(iv) many vessels in Canadian waters employ Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) rather than switching to cleaner low-sulfur fuels, leading to an increase in other air pollutants such as particulate matter, black carbon and greenhouse gases,

(v) washwater produced by EGCS contains known carcinogens and heavy metals, and is highly thermal and acidic,

(vi) Canada’s less stringent regulations encourage cruise ships to discharge their waste off British Columbia,

(vii) Canada can mitigate the risks to human health and the environment and support a cleaner cruise industry by establishing world-class ocean protections; and

(b) in the opinion of the House, the government should

(i) prohibit vessels from using EGCS in Canadian waters and require vessels to use cleaner low-sulfur fuels instead,

(ii) set standards for cruise ship sewage and greywater discharges equivalent to or stronger than those in Alaska,

(iii) designate no-discharge zones to stop pollution in marine protected areas, the Salish and Great Bear Seas, and in critical habitat for threatened and endangered species,

(iv) require regular independent third-party monitoring while ships are underway to ensure discharge requirements are met.


Latest Activity

June 21, 2022
Placed on Notice

History

June 21, 2022
Placed on Notice

Joint Seconders (2)

Jointly seconding a private Member's motion is a formal way for up to 20 Members to show support for the motion before it is called for debate. They are displayed in the order they were received by the Clerk of the House.

Jointly seconded on September 21, 2022

Photo - Lisa Marie Barron - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Lisa Marie Barron
Nanaimo—Ladysmith

Jointly seconded on March 31, 2023

Photo - Peter Julian - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Peter Julian
New Westminster—Burnaby