OTTAWA — Cruise ships will now face steep fines for not complying with stringent environmental measures when sailing in Canadian waters. 

Announced by Canada’s Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, last week, the measures – effective immediately – address discharges of greywater (the drainage from sinks, laundry machines, bathtubs, showers or dishwashers) and sewage )wastewater from bathrooms and toilets), and include:

• Prohibiting the discharge of greywater and treated sewage within three nautical miles from shore where geographically possible across Canada;
• Strengthening the treatment of greywater together with sewage before it is discharged between three and twelve nautical miles from shore south of 60°N using an approved treatment device in non-Arctic waters. This will complement existing regulations for Arctic waters under the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act; and
• Reporting compliance with these measures in Canadian waters upon request.
  These measures were announced last year for the cruise ship industry on a voluntary basis, but going forward cruise ships will be subject to fines for non-compliance, up to a maximum $250,000 under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. 
  

According to Minister Alghabra, the measures will better protect Canada’s oceans and the marine environment, and will support the work that is underway to conserve 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025, and 30% by 2030.

“Cruise ships are an important part of our economy and tourism sector, but they need to operate in a more sustainable manner to protect our waters and our environment,” said the Minister. “The measures introduced today are additional tools in our tool box to keep them accountable. We are committed to continuing to work with industry to implement these measures, keeping our coasts clean for Canadians to enjoy.”

Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, added: “These measures apply to cruise ships transiting through Canada’s Marine Protected Areas and marine refuges, and making them mandatory underlines our commitment to safeguarding our oceans for future generations as we support economic opportunities. With the threat of climate change and ongoing human activities impacting oceans, protecting them now has never been more urgent.”