Question Period Note: Wrecked or Abandoned Vessels

• The Government of Canada is working to reduce the number of vessels of concern in Canadian waters, and minimize their impact on coastal communities, the environment and the public.
• Budget 2023 announced the creation of an owner-financed Vessel Remediation Fund. This fund is expected to be operational by 2027 and provide sustainable funding to address and remove hazardous vessels.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels Removal Program has grants and contributions funding of $2.17 million over nine years as part of the renewed Oceans Protection Plan starting in 2022.

BACKGROUND
• The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (WAHVA) became law in 2019 and it: strengthens owner responsibility and liability for vessels; makes it illegal to abandon a boat; and gives the federal government more powers to take action against problem vessels before they can pose even greater problems at greater costs.
• The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) will work with the vessel owner to ensure the hazard is addressed. If the owner cannot be found or is unable or unwilling to solve the problem, the Government of Canada can take direct and immediate action to prevent, mitigate or eliminate the risks that hazardous vessels pose.
• The CCG is focusing on assessing the risks associated with each of the reported vessels to prioritize actions to remediate high risk vessels. The risk factors for problem vessels can include environmental, public safety, socio-cultural and economic risks. The focus is not on removing all problem vessels; it is on mitigating the risk posed by each one.
• As part of Budget 2023, the Government of Canada announced the creation of an owner-financed Vessel Remediation Fund. [Protected in accordance with the Access to Information Act.]
• The Fund will also support the CCG and Transport Canada in assessing and/or addressing vessels in cases where owners are unknown, the owners are known but cannot be located, or the owners are unable or unwilling to deal with their vessels themselves.
• In July 2023, the CCG announced the launch of its new Compliance and Enforcement program. The goal of the program is to increase accountability for vessel owners whose actions create maritime hazards or pollution. The priority will be to work collaboratively with vessel owners to ensure they address their problem vessel, but the CCG will not hesitate to use all the legislative tools at its disposal if the owner is unwilling to comply, including imposing a fine.
• Since 2016, under the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada has funded the removal and disposal of over 700 wrecked, abandoned and hazardous vessels across Canada and has made it illegal to abandon a boat in Canada’s waters. [742 in total – the Canadian Coast Guard (290), Department of Fisheries and Oceans Small Craft Harbours Program (196), Transport Canada Navigation Protection Program (70) and Abandoned Boats Program (186).

If pressed on how many vessels have been removed
• Since 2016, under the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada has funded the removal and disposal of over 700 wrecked, abandoned, and hazardous vessels across Canada and has made it illegal to abandon a boat in Canada’s waters.
• The Canadian Coast Guard focuses on vessels that pose the greatest potential hazards to public health and safety, and the environment. As such, the organization conducts risk assessments of each hazardous vessel to prioritize remediation actions on those high-risk vessels.
• The Canadian Coast Guard maintains a publicly available national inventory of wrecked, abandoned and hazardous vessels.

If pressed on how many hazardous vessels have been identified
• Over 2,100 vessels have been reported to the Canadian Coast Guard to date. Approximately 1,350 vessels remain in the national public inventory following the removal of over 700 vessels.

If pressed on how does CCG work with Transport Canada to address wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels
• All vessels of concern reported to the Canadian Coast Guard are assessed under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act to determine if they present a hazard. Under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, the Canadian Coast Guard ensures measures are taken to repair, remedy, minimize or prevent pollution damage from vessels.
• Transport Canada administers the provisions of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act that pertain to irresponsible vessel management, including vessels that become derelict or abandoned.
• Public Services and Procurement Canada, Transport Canada, and the Canadian Coast Guard are also working together to develop Indigenous-focused procurement opportunities to support the remediation and/or removal of problem vessels in Canadian waters.

If pressed on who pays for the CCG to respond to pollution or hazards caused by hazardous and polluting vessels
• In line with the “polluter pays principle”, owners are responsible for the costs of addressing their problem vessel. This includes cleanup or repairs, and any remediation action taken by the Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard will not hesitate to use all the legislative tools at its disposal if an owner is unwilling to act, including the imposition of a fine.