Government of Canada collaborates with Indigenous communities to address underwater vessel noise along the Trans Mountain shipping route

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 8, 2020 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada values the traditional knowledge and expertise of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities in protecting our coasts. In response to concerns raised by Indigenous communities during the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX), the Government of Canada launched the Quiet Vessel Initiative, which addresses the impacts of underwater vessel noise on Canada's marine environment and vulnerable marine mammals, including Southern Resident killer whales.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau announced funding of up to $2.5M over three years for 29 eligible Indigenous communities along the Trans Mountain shipping route to participate in the Quiet Vessel Initiative.

Eligible Indigenous groups have until November 25, 2020, to apply for funding to participate. Eligible Indigenous groups include:

Musqueam Indian Band Squamish Nation Tsawwassen First Nation* Tsleil-Waututh Nation Cowichan Tribes Halalt First Nation Lake Cowichan First Nation Lyackson First Nation Penelakut Tribe Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo) First Nation Stz'uminus (Chemainus) First Nation Esquimalt Nation Malahat Nation

Pauquachin First Nation Scianew (Beecher Bay) Indian Band Semiahmoo First Nation Songhees (Lekwungen) Nation Tsartlip First Nation Tsawout First Nation Tseycum First Nation T'Sou-ke First Nation Ditidaht First Nation Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h First Nations  (Maa-nulth)* Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Maa-nulth)* Pacheedaht First Nation Toquaht Nation (Maa-nulth)* Uchucklesaht Tribe (Maa-nulth)* Ucluelet First Nation (Maa-nulth)* *n.b. Modern treaty holder

By participating in the initiative, Indigenous groups will help evaluate the most promising technologies, vessel designs, retrofits and operational practices to reduce underwater vessel noise. Indigenous participation will also increase local capacity and technical training in these areas.

A virtual information session with eligible Indigenous groups will take place in early September to support the application process.

Quotes

"Canada's vulnerable marine environment, including the iconic Southern Resident killer whales, deserves our ongoing commitment to preserve and protect it. That is why the Government of Canada launched the Quiet Vessel Initiative in order to address the impacts of underwater vessel noise. We are now inviting Indigenous groups to share their traditional knowledge and participate in the testing of this initiative, and we look forward to collaborating with them to protect the marine environment."

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

• The Trans Mountain Expansion project began construction in December 2019, and will be an important driver in Canada's economy, which will also provide well-paying jobs, training, compensation and contracting to Indigenous peoples.
• The Quiet Vessel Initiative is a five-year, $26 million initiative, part of the Phase III Trans Mountain Expansion project consultations, and is one of eight accommodation measures developed to address the concerns of potentially affected Indigenous groups.

Associated Links

• Quiet Vessel Initiative Overview
• Trans Mountain Expansion Project – Accommodation Measures
• What we've done – Indigenous engagement
  

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SOURCE Transport Canada

Livia Belcea, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-314-0963, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.tc.gc.ca/