Concerns over Vancouver Fraser Port Authority inhibiting anchorage public complaint system

Please read the attached letter sent by Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands and Leader of the Green Party of Canada, to the Minister of Transportation, the Hon. Anita Anand, regarding the recent moves by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to inhibit public complaints about anchorages.

Letter to Minister of Transportation, the Hon. Anita Anand, on the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority inhibiting public complaints on anchorages


Honourable Anita Anand

Minister of Transportation

Re: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority inhibiting anchorage public complaint system

October 29, 2024

Dear Minister Anand,

I am writing to express concern with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s recent moves to create obstacles for members of the public to complain about disturbances from anchorages. Anchorages generate excessive light and noise pollution that significantly impacts aquatic ecosystems and coastal communities. The number of anchorages is expected to grow due to the approval of Roberts Bank Terminal 2. This approval went forward despite objections from scientists who told the government RBT2 would threaten species like the Southern Resident Killer Whale population.

Shortly after I was elected in 2011, I worked with the Chamber of Shipping to establish a 1-800 phone number for public complaints about anchorages related to shipping activities at the Port of Vancouver. The Islands Trust took this over, allowing the public a simplified tool to submit complaints about the pollution from these anchorages.

In 2018, Transport Canada put in place “Interim Protocols for the use of Southern BC Anchorages” that provided a straightforward link to a complaint form. However, this included a change that stated the following: “For noise and light concerns related to vessels using Southern BC anchorages, contact the VFPA Operations Center and provide details by completing the online form.” This essentially took the onus off the Port of Vancouver, making it difficult to gain information on how many complaints were received and what action was being taken.

The Active Vessel Traffic Management program was introduced in 2021 with a new webpage that continued to divert complaints to the online form. Recently, the online form was quietly removed without explanation. This strips members of the public from their ability to raise legitimate concerns about pollution from anchored ships.

I ask that as minister, you instruct the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to reinstate an accessible and usable complaint procedure. I have also put forward amendments to Bill C-33 that would ban the shipment of thermal coal from Canadian ports, thereby reducing and ideally eliminating the presence of anchorages on BC’s coast and around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Consistent with the Liberal Party’s pledge in the 2021 campaign, I hope you will support my amendment to ensure the timely prohibition of the export of thermal coal.

Sincerely,

 

Elizabeth May, O.C.

Member of Parliament

Saanich-Gulf Islands