Letter Transport Canada re Anchorages Protocol

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July 5, 2019 File Number: 0400-20; 5020-30  
 
Via Email: vija.poruks@tc.gc.ca 
 
Vija Poruks 
Oceans Protection Plan 
Transport Canada, Pacific Region 
 
Dear Vija Poruks: 
 
Re: Extension of Pacific Region Anchorages Interim Protocol 
 
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the extension of the Interim Protocol for the Use 
of Southern B.C. Anchorages (Interim Protocol). This voluntary protocol took effect February 8, 2018. The 
Islands Trust Council appreciates the work that a myriad of agencies have put into developing and 
implementing the Interim Protocol. We understand that solutions are not easy, especially when the protocol 
must be enacted as a voluntary measure, which is why we have supported the initiative in good faith. As the 
Interim Protocol is set to expire at the end of July 2019, you have asked for feedback and comments on further 
extending this voluntary and temporary set of procedures. The Islands Trust response to your questions are as 
follows: 
 
1. Do you have any concerns about the extension of the Interim Protocol? 
 
The Islands Trust Council is concerned that a further extension to the Interim Protocol is being requested 
with no sign that a permanent solution is being sought that respects the ecology and character of the 
Southern Gulf Islands. Originally, Islands Trust asked for an extension of the protocol agreement a year ago 
because the first period of the protocol coincided with an unprecedented number of delays in the 
arrival of commodities by train to the Port of Vancouver, resulting in very high congestion at 
anchorages in the port and along the south coast. Now a year later, the Islands Trust supports the 
continuation of the protocol as an interim measure; however, what is the plan for moving forward? 
 
The Islands Trust Council met on December 6, 2007, and passed the following motion: 
 
That the Islands Trust Council request the Chair to write to the federal Minister of Transport, 
Infrastructure and Communities objecting to the offloading of industrial freight such as gypsum in 
Plumper Sound. 
 
While we appreciate efforts by Canada Steamship Lines to minimize dust, it is frustrating that this activity 
continues more than a decade later. Industrial operations such as the offloading of materials should only 
occur within the boundaries of a port and not within Islands Trust Area region – this practice should be 
immediately discontinued. 
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Transport Canada  
July 5, 2019 
Page 2 
The Islands Trust Council’s position is that the Interim Protocol should continue to be considered an 
interim solution. I

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