Ottawa cruise ship dumping report reveals little to nothing on how to protect coastline from pollution
Unceded Coast Salish Territories (VANCOUVER, BC) – Transport Canada today released its first industry self-report on voluntary cruise ship dumping measures, but it is missing key information needed to better protect Canada’s coast.
This first edition follows Transport Canada’s announcement last April that it would report on compliance with new voluntary measures on gray water and wastewater pollution. While this was a welcome first step in better protecting Canada’s oceans, it falls far short of preventing pollution and complying with the strict regulations of our neighbors.
“This report from Transport Canada is as shocking as it is grim. There is simply no information on the treatment of pathogens and pollution, where landfills have occurred, or any confirmations or audits of industry self-reporting.” said Anna Barford, Canada Shipping Campaigner for Stand.earth.
Over the past decade, the cruise industry has exploded off the west coast of Canada. In 2019, more than a million passengers and crew from 30 different cruise lines visited Victoria Cruise Terminal during 256 ship calls en route to and from Alaska. During that time, the waters off the coast of BC were exposed to 80 billion gallons of sewage, gray water and acidic fossil fuel waste from scrubbers. These waste streams contain a variety of pollutants that contribute to ocean acidification and increase greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere.
Earlier this monthA disclosure and privacy request obtained by the National Observer revealed that Transport Canada planned to crack down on the cruise industry’s biggest source of pollution earlier this year, but instead let the cruise industry talk it out.
“The largest cruise line is a multiple US federal criminal for environmental crimes, including falsifying data and reports, and this publicly available report, based on voluntary filings, is a gift to an industry caught through the teeth.” continued Barford. “Transport Canada continues to fail in its responsibility to manage industrial pollution at the expense of wildlife, marine health and coastal communities.”
Last April, Stand.earth submitted a petition signed by over 50,000 people demanding that Ottawa stop cruise ship offloading, underscoring overwhelming public support for protecting Canada’s ocean waterways. Stand.earth continues to call on Ottawa to meaningfully support coastal communities by launching an ambitious marine pollution monitoring program.
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