Boaters - We Need Your Help - NOW !!!

As you may know Transport Canada has proposed sewage disposal regulations for BC pleasure craft which raise important safety concerns and which will cause boat owners financial hardship. These changes also will have an adverse environmental effect in that they will likely increase the bacteria on our shorelines.

We are greatly concerned by the negative consequences of these proposals, and we are working hard to overturn them. But you can help by raising your voice and urging Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon to withdraw these proposals and bring forward a better solution. Tell him that:

• No group is more interested in enhancing BC’s marine environment than recreational boaters. We strongly supported the expansion of no discharge zones several years ago.
• We support Canada’s goal of aligning regulations for large commercial vessels with International Maritime Organization standards.
• Recreational boating should not be tied to large commercial vessels (400 GRT or greater), and this component of the new regulations should be repealed.
• We support the no discharge zone regulations and recommend a more rigorous application of this policy.

Minister Cannon’s e-mail address is mintc@tc.gc.ca

Be sure to copy your own Member of Parliament. His or her e-mail address will be Lastname.Initial@parl.gc.ca. Also please copy (insert name and e-mail address of club/marina contact) so that we have a record of your letter.

This is an important issue that affects every one of us.

Please do your part by e-mailing Minister Cannon today!