Canada’s oceans get $1.5 billion over five years for marine protection plan
VANCOUVER — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a $1.5-billion plan Monday to make Canada a “world leader” in ocean protection after a diesel spill on British Columbia’s central coast and as a decision on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion looms.
Trudeau said the money will be spent over five years starting in 2017-18 and includes funding to create a marine safety system, restoring ocean ecosystems, and new methods and research to clean up oil spills. The government said changes will be seen as early as next year, such as opening a Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John’s, N.L.
While few details were revealed, Trudeau said the funding will strengthen the Canadian Coast Guard, get tough on industry pollution, fund coastal habitat restoration and create legislation to increase responsibility for vessel owners.
The announcement came a day after a barge flipped and sank not far from the site on B.C.’s central coast where a tug ran aground last month, spilling more than 100,000 litres of diesel fuel from its tanks.