Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has announced it will seek additional federal funding for the removal of derelict vessels from capital region waterways. The Board also agreed to write a letter to Transportation Minister Marc Garneau to advocate that the removal and disposal costs of derelict boats be 100% funded by the federal government.
“Due in part to the overwhelming support of our residents who continue to report abandoned boats, we have been able to identify almost twice as many derelict vessels than we have the funding to properly remove from our waterways,” said Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair. “The Board will advocate for additional funds and support in order to continue this important work.”
The federal government’s Abandoned Boats Program (ABP) is a multi-year initiative consisting of two separate components: (1) Education, Awareness and Research, and (2) Removal and Disposal of abandoned boats, as part of the federal $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan to protect Canada's coasts and waterways.
The CRD works in partnership with the non-profit Dead Boat Disposal Society to assess and remove abandoned boats. To date, 40 vessels have been removed through the program, with an estimated additional 30-35 boats reported for assessment. This progress was made possible by an initial $50,000 grant through the ABP that the CRD received in 2018.
Through the current program funding model, Transport Canada provides 100% of assessment costs, but only 75% of the removal and disposal costs. The CRD’s portion of removal and disposal costs is estimated at $150,000-$200,000 which would come from funds set aside for marine-related debris disposal.
CRD staff are working closely with municipalities, regional districts, Islands Trust and local First Nations to coordinate efforts that address abandoned boats under the federal ABP initiative. For more information about the program, visit: www.crd.bc.ca/boat.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492