Madam Speaker, I would like to point out that BC Ferries and their crew do exceptional work and they are doing excellent work on safety related to COVID-19. To limit the spread of COVID, the government banned large cruise ships from Canadian waters, pleasure crafts in Arctic waters and took measures to temporarily relax enforcement of regulations requiring passengers to leave vehicles on the decks.
Now, like other countries in the world that depend on ferries, it is time to transition back to normal operations and accepted safety practices. Incorporating well-accepted physical distancing, cleaning and mask wearing practices into existing maritime requirements will ensure the safety of the Canadian public. That is the core of this decision to ensure the safety of passengers in the event of a catastrophic incident.