U.S. cruise law puts B.C. economic impacts at risk: Harbour authority
by Amy Smart, The Canadian Press
Posted May 21, 2021 4:00 am EDT
Last Updated May 21, 2021 at 4:14 am EDT
VANCOUVER When the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly passed legislation amending a historical law that some say could have severe consequences for British Columbia’s port communities, it came as little surprise to Ian Robertson.
The CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said he tried to alert Canadian and B.C. politicians to the ramifications of the change that would temporarily allow international cruise ships to bypass B.C. ports.
Amy Smart
People look on as the Norwegian Bliss en route from Alaska to Seattle makes it s way towards Ogden Point, in Victoria, B.C., Friday, June 1, 2018. The CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said he tried to alert Canadian and B.C. politicians to the ramifications of the change that would temporarily allow international cruise ships to bypass B.C. ports. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito May 21, 2021 - 1:00 AM
VANCOUVER - When the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly passed legislation amending a historical law that some say could have severe consequences for British Columbia s port communities, it came as little surprise to Ian Robertson.
VANCOUVER When the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly passed legislation amending a historical law that some say could have severe consequences for British Columbia s port communities, it came as little surprise to Ian Robertson. The CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said he tried to alert Canadian and B.C. politicians to the ramifications of the change that would temporarily allow international cruise ships to bypass B.C. ports. “I must admit it s been frustrating, we ve been sounding the alarm for the past few months,” Robertson said. The proposed legislation passed Thursday applies to cruise ships travelling between Washington state and Alaska and gives them the green light to sail past B.C. ports without stopping, a requirement introduced more than a century ago to protect U.S. shipbuilders and operators.
VANCOUVER When the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly passed legislation amending a historical law that some say could have severe consequences for British Columbia s port communities, it came as little surprise to Ian Robertson.
The CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said he tried to alert Canadian and B.C. politicians to the ramifications of the change that would temporarily allow international cruise ships to bypass B.C. ports. I must admit it s been frustrating, we ve been sounding the alarm for the past few months, Robertson said.
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The CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority says legislation temporarily allowing international cruise ships to bypass B.C. ports feels like a dangerous precedent.