Question Period Note: Wrecked or Abandoned Vessels

• The Government of Canada is working to reduce the number of wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous vessels in Canadian waters to minimize their impact on coastal communities, the environment and the public.
• Budget 2023 announced the creation of an owner-financed Vessel Remediation Fund to provide sustainable funding to reduce the risks associated with remediating hazardous vessels.
• My Department’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, which started in 2022. Similarly, the Canadian Coast Guard has received $34 million over five years to address the risks associated with hazardous vessels.

• The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act 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 fails to comply with directions 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. It is anticipated that the coming-into-force of the regulatory charge to finance the Vessel Remediation Fund (hereafter referred to as the “Fund”) will be in 2027, following external engagement to establish the regulatory charge and the timely issuance of an order by the Governor in Council to enable the Vessel Remediation Fund into force.
• The Fund will 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 fail to comply with directions to deal with their vessels themselves.
• In July 2023, the CCG announced the launch of its new Monitoring and Compliance 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 fails to comply with directions, 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.

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 790 wrecked, abandoned or 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 to prioritize remediation actions on the highest risk vessels.
• The Canadian Coast Guard maintains a publicly available national inventory of wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels.

If pressed on how many hazardous vessels have been identified
• Over 2,100 vessels have been reported to the Canadian Coast Guard since 2016. Approximately 1,350 vessels remain in the national public inventory following the removal of over 790 vessels.

If pressed on how the 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 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.