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432-00703 (Environment)
Original language of petition: English
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED
We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House to the following:
THAT, WHEREAS a study conducted in 1996 by the British Columbia Ministry of the Environment concluded that Saanich Inlet "is an important and sensitive ecosystem-physically, ecologically and culturally... world renowned for its beauty...is highly valued by humans and supports important cultural and recreational uses",
WHEREAS this same 1996 study concluded that Saanich Inlet's "low flushing rate and sensitive coastal ecology make it susceptible to human influence", that due to these unique conditions, Saanich Inlet has a very limited capacity to assimilate contaminants, and that this capacity had already been exceeded,
WHEREAS recreational use of Saanich Inlet has continued to grow, and although there are three sewage pump-out facilities located within Saanich Inlet, levels of contamination resulting from recreational vessels' sewage discharge has grown apace, and
WHEREAS it is critical to increase Saanich Inlet's level of environmental protection to ensure that this unique and cherished waterway can continue to be enjoyed by local communities and visiting recreational users alike,
THEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call on the House of Commons to work with the Government of British Columbia to protect Saanich Inlet by immediately adding it to the list of designated zones where the discharge of raw sewage is not allowed.
Response by the Minister of Transport
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Transport Canada has received the completed application titled “Application for Establishment of a Designated Sewage Area under the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations” submitted by The Corporation of the District of Central Saanich. The application has been reviewed and accepted for addition to Schedule 2 to of the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations (VPDCR) as a Designated Sewage Area.
The Department is currently working on amendments to the VPDCR and will be engaging with stakeholders within the coming fiscal year to seek input on areas where the regulations could be improved. As part of this regulatory process, Transport Canada officials will also look at the application process for Designated Sewage Areas, including whether and how applications and approvals can be expedited in future.
- Presented to the House of Commons
-
Elizabeth May
(Saanich—Gulf Islands)
March 23, 2021 (Petition No. 432-00703) - Government response tabled
- May 6, 2021
Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.