Vote Yes
An Act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping
This bill repeals the 2019 Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, which restricted large tankers carrying crude or other persistent oils from loading or unloading along British Columbia’s north coast. Lifting the moratorium would allow northern ports to handle large crude shipments under existing marine safety, environmental, and liability laws. Proponents see expanded market access, investment, and jobs; opponents warn of spill risks in an ecologically sensitive region and stress the need for strong safeguards and Indigenous partnership.
Overall, the repeal removes a major constraint on market access for Canadian energy, supporting exports, investment, jobs, and competitiveness. With strong, performance-based marine safety, liability coverage, and Indigenous partnership in place without unnecessary delay, the net effect promotes broad, long-term prosperity.
What is the government’s quantified estimate of additional export capacity, price uplift, jobs, and GDP from repealing the moratorium, and on what timeline will the first shipments realistically occur from northern ports?
Before any large crude tanker calls at a North Coast port, what specific, enforceable marine safety measures—such as mandatory tug escorts, enhanced pilotage, traffic separation schemes, weather windows, and time-bound spill response standards—will be in place and who will pay for them?
How will the government ensure Indigenous rights are respected and that free, prior, and informed consent and durable benefit agreements are secured for any port or pipeline expansions enabled by this repeal?
Opening a new corridor to tidewater can raise revenues, jobs, and national income by improving access to global energy markets.
Repeal eliminates a blanket prohibition that constrained shipping and investment decisions, reducing a major regulatory barrier.
Better market access can reduce transportation bottlenecks and price discounts, improving competitiveness of Canadian energy producers.
Directly enables potential crude exports from northern ports and diversification of markets beyond the United States.
Signals openness to port, pipeline/rail, and marine services investment, likely unlocking private capital and technology upgrades.
While repealing a moratorium may trim enforcement overhead, spill preparedness and oversight requirements could offset savings; the bill does not reform service delivery.
No tax measures are included.
A full repeal creates scope for a significant export corridor with economy-wide impacts, rather than a small adjustment.
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