Canada Funds $1.3 Million for Removal of Abandoned Boats
"Abandoned boats are not just an eyesore; they are a safety concern and a financial burden to communities," Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said.
Canada's minister of transport, Marc Garneau, on March 12 announced that more than $1.3 million is being provided to a number of coastal authorities through two programs created to remove abandoned boats. Canada's coastlines are a valuable resources that must be protected, and that includes cleaning up abandoned boats -- a growing problem across Canada, according to the federal government of Canada -- under the Oceans Protection Plan.
"Abandoned boats are not just an eyesore; they are a safety concern and a financial burden to communities," Garneau said. "The Oceans Protection Plan's Abandoned Boats Program – one of many initiatives launched to improve the issue of abandoned boats in Canada – is providing crucial financial support to communities, like those of British Columbia. Our government is also pursuing other measures to reduce the number of problem vessels that pose hazards in Canadian waters and support the preservation and restoration of marine ecosystems."
The money is going to:
- The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, BC Parks, and the town of Ladysmith, together are receiving up to $90,000 for the removal and disposal of 12 abandoned boats and wrecks from their communities.
- More than $140,000 will be divided among four harbor authorities for the removal of nine abandoned boats at commercial fishing harbors owned by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The recipients are Ford Cove Harbour Authority (British Columbia), Powell River Harbour Authority (British Columbia), Port Edward Harbour Authority (British Columbia), and Port Saunders Harbour Authority (Newfoundland).
- The Capital Regional District, the Pender Harbour Advisory Council, and the District of Sechelt are collectively receiving up to $90,000 for the assessment of 26 abandoned boats and wrecks. Once the assessments have been completed, the organizations will be eligible to request funding through the program to remove and dispose of the boats, should they meet the program's criteria.
- As part of the Education and Awareness component of the Abandoned Boats Program, close to $540,000 will be divided among five recipients in the next three years: Capital Regional District, the Boating British Columbia Association, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Boating Ontario Association, and the Eastern Nova Scotia Marine Stewardship Society. They will develop and lead education and outreach campaigns for small boat owners and boating communities across Canada.
- Innovation Maritime, CleanTech Renewables Limited, and PlaySafe Production are collectively receiving more than $475,000 in the next three years to research and develop environmentally friendly methods to recycle and dispose of boats.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a $1.5 billion national program to protect Canada's coasts and waterways.
The Abandoned Boats Program is also launching a third call for proposals for the assessment, removal, and disposal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats. To be opened on April 3, 2018, it continues until March 31, 2019.