Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Alberni, West Coast — According to CHEK, the provincial government has revoked the Crown land lease held by Deep Water Recovery, a company that has been dismantling ships in Union Bay since late 2020. This decision follows the company's failure to meet regulatory requirements, including providing a security deposit of $3.2 million and complying with a pollution abatement order.

Local residents, particularly members of the Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound, are celebrating this lease cancellation as a significant step towards halting the shipbreaking operations that have raised environmental concerns. However, they express apprehension about the future, particularly regarding the vessels that remain on-site and how they will be managed.

The regulatory framework governing shipbreaking in Canada is complex, involving both federal and provincial oversight. Residents have long voiced concerns about the environmental impact of Deep Water Recovery's operations, which have resulted in multiple penalties and warnings from the province. The Ministry of Forests is now tasked with determining the next steps following the lease cancellation.

MLA Josie Osborne has publicly supported the lease revocation, emphasising the need for safe and responsible ship recycling practices. As the situation unfolds, local advocates are calling for stronger regulations to prevent similar issues in the future. The cancellation of the lease is seen as a victory for environmental protection, but the community remains vigilant about ensuring compliance and oversight moving forward.

For more details, visit the original article on CHEK.

Sources

• CHEK: https://cheknews.ca/union-bay-locals-await-next-steps-after-controversial-shipbreaking-lease-cancelled-1272585/