what can i do?

Cruise ship ports around the world experience negative impacts from cruise tourism. While there are shared concerns, each port also has unique issues.

Negative cruise tourism impacts in Victoria include cruise ship garbage, air & ocean pollution and overtourism. Fair Sailing has identified do-able solutions for these problems. For detailed information, please read our FAQs and refer to our Call to Action.

What Can I Do?

Fair Sailing has been asked what productive actions can be taken by residents to address cruise tourism impacts in our communities. Here is what we have learned:

·      Every voice counts! Our strength is in numbers.

·      All levels of government are aware of cruise tourism impact and have taken some action – but not enough! Add your voice to the collective chorus of concerned citizens.

·      Address your emails/letters to elected officials – they will refer your submission for response by staff who are working on the issue you are concerned about.

·      Many cruise tourism issues are cross jurisdictional and will require time and collaboration among various interest holders to resolve.

Here is what you can do NOW to be part of the conversation and solution.  

Problem: Cruise Ship Garbage

Cruise ships offload unknown types and quantities of hazardous and non-hazardous solid and liquid wastes at Ogden Point. They choose Victoria for convenience. Victoria is not required to accept cruise ship garbage. Local residents are asked to reduce their garbage while the landfill accepts solid waste from foreign cruise ships.

What You Can Do:

·      Ask the CRD Board at crdboard@crd.bc.ca to cease the disposal of international cruise ship waste at Hartland Landfill.

Problem: Air and Ocean Pollution

Many ships use scrubber technology as a cost saving practice to comply with air emission standards. Scrubbers use seawater to remove heavy fuel contaminants from a ship’s air exhaust. The wash water is discharged into the ocean and can be toxic to marine life. The use of scrubbers effectively turns air pollution into ocean pollution. Unlike other countries around the world, Canada has not banned scrubber wash water discharges.

What You Can Do:

·      Ask the Minister of Transport Canada at Steven.MacKinnon@parl.gc.ca to ban scrubber wash water discharges and mandate the use of low sulphur marine gas oil in Canadian waters.

Problem: Overtourism (Crowding, Traffic, Nuisances)

Overtourism impacts in Victoria include crowding, traffic surges/congestion, and nuisances like odour, noise, light, and smoke emissions.

What You Can Do:

·      Ask Victoria City Council at councillors@victoria.ca to address noxious and offensive uses that are in violations of the City’s M-2 zoning at Ogden Point, including odours, smoke, and other potential hazards.

·      Ask the Board of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority at communications@gvha.ca to set ship/passenger limits, implement cruise ship schedules that reduce overcrowding, respect quiet hours, provide cruise-free days, and develop best tourism management practices that include a feedback process for residents.