Canada makes cruise ship wastewater discharge rules mandatory

The measures address discharges of gray water and sewage.

They include prohibiting the discharge of gray water and treated sewage within three nautical miles from shore where geographically possible across Canada.

The measures also strengthen the treatment of gray water together with sewage before it is discharged between three and 12 nautical miles from shore south of 60°N using an approved treatment device in non-Arctic waters. This complements existing regulations for Arctic waters under the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.

Reporting

Transport Canada will also require reporting compliance with these measures in Canadian waters upon request.

Shore-based discharge into appropriate treatment facilities is still allowed.

The measures align with or exceed IMO standards and provide comparable protection to those in the US that have implemented restrictions, including Alaska, California and Washington state.

Fines for noncompliance

The government announced these measures last year for the cruise industry on a voluntary basis but, going forward, cruise ships will be subject to fines for noncompliance up to the maximum permitted ($250,000) under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.

Transport Canada said the rules will better protect Canada’s oceans and the marine environment, and will support work that is underway to conserve 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025 and 30% by 2030.

Accountability

'Cruise ships are an important part of our economy and tourism sector, but they need to operate in a more sustainable manner to protect our waters and our environment,' Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra said.

He called the mandatory measures 'additional tools in our tool box to keep them accountable,' adding: 'We are committed to continuing to work with industry to implement these measures, keeping our coasts clean for Canadians to enjoy.'

Economic impact

Transport Canada also acknowledged cruising's importance to domestic tourism, noting it contributes more than $4b annual input into the Canadian economy and directly and indirectly generates approximately 30,000 middle-class jobs per year.