Madam Speaker, the second petition was signed on paper by Vancouver East residents, and over 1,000 people so far have signed the online petition e-7709. They share their urgent concerns about the dredging of the Burrard Inlet by the Port of Vancouver, which began in September.
The petitioners note that the Burrard Inlet is an ecologically crucial and sensitive coastal ecosystem, and they raise concerns that the dredging work will undo all the important restoration work that the Tsleil-Waututh Nation has been doing in the inlet, such as restoring salmon habitats and cleaning the waters enough to enable calm harvesting again and revive shore health.
In light of Canada's commitment to upholding the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and responsibilities for habitat protection, the petitioners call on the government to urgently halt federal approvals, permits or authorizations for any dredging activities in the Burrard Inlet that pose significant environmental, cultural and cumulative risks; support the Tsleil-Waututh Nation's knowledge and responsibility to steward the inlet; and work collaboratively with the nation and other affected indigenous nations to prioritize habitat restoration, marine protection and long-term ecological health in the Burrard Inlet.