The government of Canada, while recognising that cruise ships are an important part of Canada’s domestic tourism sector, has announced new environmental measures for cruise ships in Canadian waters that exceed international standards.
As Canada welcomes cruise ships back to its waters, for the 2022 season, cruise operators will have to implement stricter environmental measures regarding greywater and blackwater discharges.
The measures, which are being introduced in coordination with the cruise industry, include:
- Prohibiting the discharge of greywater and treated blackwater within three naut mile from shore where geographically possible;
- Treating greywater together with blackwater before it is discharged between three and 12 naut mile from shore to the greatest extent possible;
- Strengthening the treatment of blackwater between three and 12 naut mile from shore using an approved treatment device; and
- Reporting to Transport Canada compliance with these measures as they relate to discharges made within Canadian waters.
These 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.
The Government of Canada plans to make these changes permanent through regulations, and appreciates the cruise ship industry’s willingness to pursue these measures in the interim. Ahead of the 2022 cruise ship season, Transport Canada says it remains focused on keeping passengers and the environment safe, while promoting tourism and growing the economy.
Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, said: “Cruise ships are an important part of our economy and tourism sector, and as Canada prepares to welcome them back to our waters this month, we are committed to working with our industry partners to implement these new measures to ensure their return is safer and cleaner for our environment.”
Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, added: “The protection of our oceans and their ecosystems is a top priority for our government. With these new measures to address cruise ship pollution, this important part of our tourism sector can now chart a cleaner course through Canada’s spectacular coastal waters.”
The proposed changes will exceed the current Canadian regulations aligned with international standards set out by the IMO and complement the mandatory requirements already in place through the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations. The proposed measures will be supported by periodic reporting by the cruise operators to assess the level of compliance with these measures. These reports will be made public.
