By Dominic Abassi

MP Malcolmson says Ottawa’s abandoned boats program falls short

May 31, 2017 | 5:23 PM

NANAIMO — The federal government’s newly announced abandoned boats program won’t float, according to Nanaimo-Ladysmith NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson.

Malcolmson said the Liberals haven’t made enough money available to properly address the pollution problem posed by the thousands of derelict vessels littering the west coast and Canada’s shoreline.

“It’s a drop in the bucket. The Liberals have allocated $1 million a year for removals and that wouldn’t have even covered the cost of the (abandoned boat) Viki Lyne II removal from Ladysmith last year,” Malcolmson told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Announced Wednesday by Transport Minister Marc Garneau, the abandoned boats program offers $5.6 million over five years in grants to help with removal and disposal of derelict vessels. Private ports, marinas, port authorities, local and provincial governments and First Nations can apply for the funding. $1.25 million is earmarked for education around responsible boat management and research on boat recycling.

Malcolmson said she was shocked to learn the removal of the Viki Lyne II in October 2016 cost more than $1 million. Fellow NDP MP Gord Johns reported removal costs of nearly $300,000 to get an ailing tug boat out of Deep Bay last April.

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She said she is “mystified” the Liberals are missing an opportunity to play the role of hero on this issue. “They’ve had so much encouragement from local governments, they would look so good if they stepped up. I ask them every other week in Parliament ‘what are you going to do’ and every time we get these weird speaking points that don’t talk to the issue at all, so I’m a little discouraged.”

Malcolmson credited the pressure applied by coastal communities and First Nations for the grants’ creation, noting the Conservatives did nothing for a decade. “That abandoned vessels are even on the federal agenda is…reason to celebrate.”

A bill has been tabled by Malcolmson which, among other things, would see the Coast Guard take sole responsibility for dealing with abandoned vessels. She hoped it will be debated in the fall.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi