Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a certified petition on behalf of residents from Port Alberni on Vancouver Island who are calling on the federal government to fund more shore power at the Port Alberni loading docks.
The petitioners describe living with the relentless noise and air pollution caused by ships running diesel generators while they are berthed, sometimes continuously day and night for weeks at a time. They say this is not a minor inconvenience. It affects sleep, health and quality of life for families living near the port. They cite that shore power is a proven solution. It allows ships to plug into the local electrical grid, eliminating the need for diesel generation while berthed. The petitioners also point out that shore power reduces emissions, lowers noise pollution, delivers long-term fuel savings and is already in place in ports around the world, including the port of Vancouver.
These petitioners are calling on the federal government to prioritize community health and environmental protection by funding shore power infrastructure at the Port Alberni loading docks.