Mr. Speaker, I bring voices from coastal communities urging government action to deal with the backlog of abandoned vessels.
The petitioners call on the government for legislation that would direct the recycling and/or removal of abandoned vessels and to pilot a turn-in program modelled on the successful cash for clunkers program that different provinces use for automobiles.
It has been proven in Washington state and Oregon that the backlog of abandoned vessels that present an oil spill risk and jeopardize coastal jobs can be dealt with using a vessel turn-in program. Many other solutions in this petition would be in line with existing marine salvage businesses.
The petitioners are from Nanaimo, Duncan and other communities on Vancouver Island.
I commend this petition to the House.