Nanaimo Cowichan MP Jean Crowder says she’s still optimistic about the chances for her private members bill on derelict vessels.
The bill would hand primary responsibility for dealing with derelicts to the Coast Guard.
But she says the response from the Conservatives during the opening debate yesterday was disappointing.
Conservative Ed Komarnicki summed up the government’s position this way. “While our government does not support Bill C-638 we are committed to continuing to work with interested parties, including key stakeholders and all levels of government, on the development and implementation of a national prevention strategy for life-cycle management of all vessels,” he told the Commons. “It is in that context that we oppose this bill, but we know that it is a serious and important issue that needs to be addressed. The government will be doing that in the course of time.”
Crowder says with another hour of debate still to come before a vote – that’s now expected in late April – there’s still time to convince Conservative MPs to support it.
