Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to present petition e-2985.
The over 1,200 petitioners who signed this recognize four basic things. Number one, that Transport Canada’s interim protocol on the use of B.C. southern anchorages has been largely ignored and not enforced; two, that there is a very real risk of environmental disaster to the surrounding marine environment from the impact of these vessels, which have been shown to drag their anchors; three, that the federal government sees value in protecting this sensitive marine habitat through the establishment of a national marine conservation area; and four, that first nations in the region were not consulted, nor did they give their free, prior or informed consent for the establishment of the anchorages. Therefore, the petitioners are asking that the Government of Canada support Bill C-250, which calls for an end to these anchorages.
Finally, this petition would not have been possible without the efforts of Chris Straw, who tragically passed away in a workplace accident on March 16. I want to take this time to express my very sincere condolences to his friends and family, and recognize what a wonderful person he was for his effort in bringing this issue for our region.