Liberals reintroduce tanker ban bill tabled earlier this month

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Liberal government has re-announced it’s plan to ban oil tankers on BC’s north coast.

The “Oil Tanker Moratorium Act” was tabled earlier this month by Transportation Minister Marc Garneau.

If approved, the new law would prohibit large oil tankers carrying crude and persistent oils from stopping, loading or unloading between the Alaskan border and the north tip of Vancouver Island. The ban, however, will not apply to smaller ships bringing oil to northern communities who need it.

This adds to the voluntary 100 kilometre tanker exclusion zone that’s been in place for nearly three decades.

The ban also applies to Haida Gwaii, and anyone caught breaking the rules could face up to a five million dollar fine.

The legislation fulfills a pledge made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last fall.

More to come

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