A British Columbia MP is pushing the federal government to move on a promise to deal with vessels abandoned on Canada’s coasts.
New Democrat Sheila Malcolmson says an existing legal loophole means abandoned vessels will continue to be a problem often dealt with by municipal and provincial governments.
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She brought her campaign to Nova Scotia on Tuesday, where money and years of effort have been spent dealing with such high-profile cases as the MV Miner in Cape Breton and the MV Farley Mowat in Shelburne.
Malcolmson has tabled a bill she says would address the legal hole by fixing vessel registration, piloting a vessel turn-in program and supporting local salvagers and vessel recycling.
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She says the bill would also make the coast guard responsible for directing the removal of all abandoned vessels.
Last month, the federal government announced $6.85 million in funding over five years to help address the problem posed by abandoned vessels.