Canada Seeks to Ban Vessel Abandonment with New Bill

The Government of Canada has introduced the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act in parliament, which aims to prohibit vessel abandonment.

The act, also known as Bill C-64, will bring the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 into force of law in Canada. It is one of the several measures the Government of Canada has committed to delivering and implementing under the Oceans Protection Plan, which has seen the country’s government invest more than CAD 450 million in protection of coasts and waterways.

The act is also intended to strengthen owner responsibility and liability for hazardous vessels and wrecks, including costs for clean-up and removal.

“Holding vessel owners accountable for their actions is an important step in ensuring Canadians are not burdened by the effects of wrecked and abandoned vessels, nor responsible for their clean-up costs. This is an important stage in addressing abandoned and wrecked vessels. This will give the shore back to the communities and protect our coasts and the quality of our water,” Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, said.

” We have not only strengthened our ability to respond quickly to marine environmental emergencies, but our scientists are expanding their knowledge of species and vulnerable coastal areas. In years to come, this program will continue to support a growing Canadian economy and a healthy environment,” Catherine McKenna Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, added.