Plan to Tackle Lost Container Pollution

Summary#

This bill changes the Marine Liability Act to create a national plan to deal with pollution from shipping containers that fall overboard. It tells the Transport Minister to design, carry out, and report on this plan, with input from Indigenous organizations and other partners.

• Orders an independent study to find gaps in current rules, response, tracking, and ship manifest practices, and to assess whether a cleanup/compensation fund would help.
• Requires a national strategy with steps to prevent spills, improve communication with coastal communities, and monitor and remove debris from lost containers.
• Sets up a joint spill response task force that includes federal and provincial governments, local authorities, Indigenous organizations, commercial fishers, and non-profits.
• Funds research on polystyrene, microplastics, and other plastics, including better cleanup methods.
• Requires a public strategy within one year, plus yearly progress reports starting in the second year.

What it means for you#

• Coastal residents

  • Faster, clearer alerts and updates during a container spill.
  • More organized beach and water cleanups for debris and plastics.
  • Easier way to share local knowledge and concerns with responders.

• Indigenous communities

  • A guaranteed role in shaping the plan and in the joint task force.
  • Better access to information and a say in decisions that affect traditional waters and foods.

• Fishers and coastal businesses

  • Quicker, better‑coordinated response to spills that can foul gear, docks, and shorelines.
  • Clearer contacts for reporting debris and seeking cleanup help.
  • Note: a compensation fund is only being studied, not created by this bill.

• Shippers and ports

  • Possible tighter rules on container tracking and ship manifests after the study.
  • More coordination with government and responders during incidents.
  • Potential for new prevention requirements to reduce the risk of spills.

• Local and provincial governments

  • A formal seat at the table through the joint task force.
  • More direct communication during incidents and access to federal coordination on debris removal.

• Environmental groups and volunteers

  • A national framework for organized cleanups and data sharing.
  • More research funding on plastic pollution and better removal tools.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• A clear national plan will close gaps in prevention, tracking, and cleanup, reducing plastic and debris on coasts.
• Including Indigenous organizations leads to better decisions and respects rights and local knowledge.
• A standing task force will cut confusion in emergencies and speed up response.
• An independent study ensures changes are evidence‑based and may point to a fair way to cover cleanup costs.
• Research funding will improve methods to remove microplastics and prevent long‑term harm to wildlife and fisheries.

Opponents' View#

• Could add new bureaucracy and costs without proving it will outperform current systems.
• May duplicate or complicate existing marine safety and spill response programs.
• New rules on manifests or tracking could raise costs for shippers and, in turn, for consumers.
• Studying options first may delay concrete action, especially if urgent fixes are already known.
• If a compensation fund is later created, costs could shift to taxpayers or increase fees on industry.