WHEREAS abandoned boats, derelict structures and squatters in float homes and boats along public waterways can cause significant environmental damage, and pose a hazard to navigation and public health and safety; AND WHEREAS the current regulatory framework, with overlapping jurisdictions, makes it difficult and costly for municipalities to deal effectively with the problem: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial and federal governments be requested to implement regulatory changes that will provide municipal authority to enforce the removal of abandoned, derelict or hazardous structures along public waterways, and to enforce the eviction of illegal float home and house boat squatters.
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations The Province shares many of the concerns expressed by coastal communities with respect to derelict and abandoned vessels in coastal waters. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations FLNR is actively exploring long-term solutions within available resources during a period of fiscal constraint. FLNR is participating in the development of a guidance paper to clarify roles and responsibilities for each organization with a mandate to address derelict vessels. The paper is being reviewed by the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General. The estimated time for completion of the review and posting of the paper on the FLNRO internet site is February 14, 2013. FLNR communicates regularly with Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard and works with the federal agencies to find collaborative solutions for addressing concerns associated with derelict and abandoned vessels. In 201112, FLNR worked with local governments and individuals wishing to accept responsibility for vessel cleanup by contributing some operational funding to cover partial equipment costs associated with the removal of vessels. Staff from regional-federal agencies are working with their counterparts in Ottawa to seek funding and to develop a permanent solution for the Pacific coast.