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ARTICLE · 31 MAY 2017

Proposed Oil Tanker Moratorium Act—Defining Canada's Pacific Gateway

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On 12 May 2017, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-48, the proposed Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, in Parliament.

CanadaTransport
David Bursey
David Bursey
Venetia Whiting
Venetia Whiting
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On 12 May 2017, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-48, the proposed Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, in Parliament. This initiative follows up on the launch of the national Oceans Protection Plan in November 2016, and fulfils the Prime Minister's commitment to formalize a crude oil tanker moratorium on British Columbia's north coast. The broader plan aims to "improve marine safety and responsible shipping; protect Canada's marine environment; and create new partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities".

Oil tankers have been travelling along the British Columbia coast since the 1930s, mostly through the ports in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Kitimat. In recent years, oil tanker traffic has accounted for less than one percent of the overall traffic, according to Transport Canada records.

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