Whereas the Ports Canada Police was disbanded in 1997 and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority discontinued its financial contribution to the RCMP-led Waterfront Joint Forces Operation in 2015; And whereas this loss of police resources has weakened the security of Canadas ports and allowed organized crime elements to proliferate, as evidenced by the 2023 Peter German report Policing our Ports; And whereas the provincial and federal governments have statutory authorities in respect of taxation and fees related to the port and the transportation of shipping containers: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province to work with the Canadian government and port municipalities to develop a shipping container levy as a funding mechanism to re-establish dedicated resources to police ports and waterfronts, including the Port of Vancouver, in order to address the issue of organized crime operating through Canadas ports.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Province recognizes the federal government has primary jurisdiction over Canadian ports and any decision made about policing the ports or introducing a levy must be made by the federal government. The Province continues to advocate for adequate investment to the existing bodies responsible for policing the ports and has engaged in frequent correspondence with the Government of Canada regarding federal resourcing. This includes emphasizing the importance of the federal government meeting the staffing commitments of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit, the Border Integrity Unit, the Waterfront Joint Forces Operation and the Canadian Border Services Agency as well as providing the resources necessary to adequately equip these agencies to respond to organized crime and other illicit behaviours at the ports. The Province actively supports the efforts of police to disrupt organized criminals that traffic in illegal drugs and continues to advocate for a multi-jurisdictional, comprehensive approach that recognizes the interdependence of prevention, intervention, intelligence, and enforcement efforts. Government is committed to strengthening capabilities of police of jurisdiction across BC to address the use of our ports by organized crime by ensuring that all levels of government are actively engaged on the issue to enhance community safety. The Province continues to further support these efforts through ongoing funding and oversight over specialized organized crime teams and initiatives, including those within the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-BC CFSEU-BC BCs anti-gang agency.