Mr. Speaker, it is an honour tonight to rise to highlight the urgent need for the federal government to take action when it comes to ship recycling in Canada and especially on the west coast of British Columbia.
In British Columbia, over 900 vessels have been identified that are set to be recycled and retired, and 90 of those vessels are over 500 tonnes. There are no facilities designed to recycle those vessels. In fact, 14 of the 90 vessels are owned by BC Ferries. Those vessels pose an immediate threat to coastal British Columbia's pristine waters, which are critical to our food security, our economy and our way of life.
I am here tonight to highlight the urgent need for federal investment in dry dock and port infrastructure to support ship repair, maintenance and recycling in British Columbia and across Canada.
In my riding of Courtenay—Alberni, Port Alberni is uniquely positioned to serve as a potential hub for this critical work. With the active leadership of Tseshaht and Hupačasath first nations, and I know Huu-ay-aht First Nations is also interested, and the engagement of the provincial government, local government, industry, labour and education partners, a broad coalition has come together to chart a path toward an indigenous-led centre of excellence in sustainable ship recycling. This initiative is guided, of course, by free, prior and informed consent and anchored in the principle of “nothing about us without us”.
The Alberni Valley ship recycling leadership group has agreed on shared principles to ensure that this development meets the highest standards: world-class environmental safeguards designed to meet or exceed the EU ship recycling regulation and align with the Hong Kong convention; transparent community engagement to ensure robust social licence; a pragmatic, phased build-out, beginning with scalable, compliant capacity while developing a long-term centre of excellence; and a credible business case, built on demand signals such as a master service agreement potentially with BC Ferries, Seaspan and others, supported by federal and provincial coinvestment, which we are asking for tonight.
Investing in this infrastructure will strengthen Canada's marine and port capacity and create high-skilled, lasting employment, including indigenous hiring pathways through North Island College and local partners. It will reduce environmental risks from aging and derelict vessels, position Canada to meet growing international demand for sustainable shipyard services and ensure Canada meets NATO readiness obligations by securing modern domestic repair and recycling capabilities.
With the Port Alberni Port Authority offering federal water lot and terminal assets, the Province of British Columbia identifying the rural economic diversification and infrastructure program funding as an immediate tool, and partners like the Island Coastal Economic Trust, which is helping steer the working group, the Association of B.C. Marine Industries and the B.C. Environment Industry Association already advancing regulatory and business casework, the groundwork is in place.
What is needed now is a federal commitment to make sure this is a strategic nation-building investment. I urge the federal government to prioritize funding for ship repair, maintenance and recycling infrastructure in the upcoming federal budget.