Federal NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh says he will take the issue of freighter traffic in Deep Cove to parliament.
Singh joined B.C. NDP candidates Zeb King, Saanich North and the Islands, and Murray Rankin, Oak Bay—Gordon Head, on Setchell Road overlooking Deep Cove in North Saanich early on Oct. 17.
The area is treated as a “parking lot” for large freighter ships that “drop anchor for weeks and months” in the cove while waiting to head into the Port of Vancouver, King said. He added that a provincial NDP government would demand the federal government take action to manage freighters in Deep Cove.
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Rankin echoed the concerns, adding that the freighters pose risks to the environment as they may leak oil, run aground, or tear up the ocean floor with their anchors.
“I’m sick of the buck-passing,” he said, noting that the issue has been brought up many times with no result. “This is an issue that people care deeply about.”
Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is in North Saanich today with BC NDP candidates Zeb King (Saanich North and the Islands) and Murray Rankin (Oak Bay-Gordon Head) to make an announcement regarding freighter traffic. @PeninsulaNews pic.twitter.com/BUcd6V0jxc
— Devon Bidal (@devonscarlett) October 17, 2020
Deep Cove is under the joint jurisdiction of the provincial and federal governments, Rankin said, adding that “in a world of cooperative federalism,” he expects to see both levels of government collaborate with the local First Nations people.
Singh emphasized that “there needs to be serious attention given to the potential environmental disaster” and that regulations are required. He said advocacy at the provincial level will get the attention of the federal government.
“This should not be used as a parking lot,” Singh said.
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