Canadian Parliament News

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), representing the world’s national shipowners’ associations and 80% of the world merchant fleet, has voiced deep concern about a proposed legislation in Canada which it says will interfere with international maritime trade. The Canadian Parliament is giving consideration to legislation that would have the effect of establishing a moratorium on the shipment of crude oil in the waters of Northern British Columbia (Bill C-48: An Act respecting the regulation of vessels that transport crude oil or persistent oil to or from ports or marine installations located along British Columbia’s north coast).

Canada declined a U.S. invitation last week to jointly announce climate policy cooperation with Mexico, with Ottawa saying it has not yet finalized its own domestic strategy, sources from both countries familiar with the discussions said on Thursday. On March 24, three days before the United States and Mexico announced they would partner on a high-level bilateral clean energy and climate policy task force, U.S. officials approached Canadian counterparts asking them to join the effort, three sources said. One source said that while Canadian officials said they were supportive of North American harmonization of climate policy they were not yet prepared to join the continental partners.

The steam yacht Cangarda this week began her inaugural trip on the Erie Canal, the New York State Canal Corporation announced on May 26. The 126-ft long vessel, built in, 1901, is the last remaining U.S.-built steam yacht in America, and one of only three left in the world. "We are pleased that this storied vessel will ply the waters of the Erie Canal this year," Canal Director Brian U. Stratton said. The vessel was purchased in 1904 by George Taylor Fulford, a member of Canadian Parliament. The yacht remained with the family for many years, home ported on the family estate on the St. Lawrence River. While there, it hosted the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Kent, and the prime ministers of both England and Canada.

Southern St. Clair County residents and tourists traveling to Canada may have to go the long way around - through Port Huron and over the Blue Water Bridge - to get to Ontario and back. The Bluewater International Ferry, which is located just east of state highway M-29, provides the fastest, most convenient rout to Canada, but, due to high marine service fees, ferry management is threatening to close for the winter. The Canadian-owned Bluewater Ferry docks in Sombra, Ontario, and Marine City. Ferry manager Capt. Morgan Dalgety said exorbitant ice-breaking charges from the Canadian Coast Guard's Oceans and Fisheries Division are putting a financial squeeze on the company.