MP Alistair MacGregor’s Bill C-305 proposes a massive 1,394-square-mile ban on freighter anchorages across the Southern Strait of Georgia, a move disguised as an environmental measure but, in reality, a direct attack on Canada’s trade infrastructure. The Port of Vancouver—North America’s second-largest port—facilitates over $240 billion in annual trade and supports 115,300 jobs. The elimination of anchorages in the Salish Sea would cripple this system, harming farmers, manufacturers, exporters, and consumers across Canada.
Why Freighter Anchorages Are Essential
Freighter anchorages are not optional conveniences—they are a critical component of Canada’s trade network, allowing ships to safely wait for:
✅ Port availability – Congestion and scheduling issues mean ships cannot always dock immediately.
✅ Weather delays – Safe passage through inland waters often requires waiting for better conditions.
✅ Regulatory compliance – Vessels undergo mandatory inspections, refueling, and customs clearances before docking.
✅ Cargo logistics – Ships may need time to coordinate with rail and trucking schedules to ensure smooth cargo transfer.
By forcing ships to circle offshore instead of anchoring, MacGregor’s proposal would increase fuel consumption, emissions, and shipping costs, the very things it claims to prevent. Instead of fixing the underlying inefficiencies in port management, the NDP’s reckless policy would harm Canada's ability to trade competitively.
Additionally, the Port of Vancouver has worked with Indigenous communities to ensure that anchorage locations and vessel movements respect traditional harvesting areas, fisheries, and ecological concerns while maintaining Canada’s vital trade routes. Removing these anchorages entirely would risk disrupting these agreements, potentially harming Indigenous fishing rights as well.
The Port of Vancouver’s Efforts to Improve Efficiency and Sustainability
Unlike MacGregor’s punitive approach, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) has been working with industry, local communities, and Indigenous groups to improve port efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Key initiatives include:
🔹 The Active Vessel Traffic Management Program – Reducing congestion and streamlining vessel movement to limit unnecessary anchoring.
🔹 Shore Power Expansion – Investing in infrastructure to allow docked ships to plug into clean hydroelectric power instead of running engines.
🔹 Port Modernization – Expanding capacity to reduce wait times and eliminate bottlenecks.
🔹 Indigenous Consultation and Protection of Harvesting Areas – Through ongoing dialogue with First Nations, the Port has taken steps to preserve key fishing grounds and minimize disruptions to traditional marine harvesting activities. This includes rerouting traffic where possible and implementing mitigation measures to protect marine habitats.
The real solution is investment in port efficiency, not a trade-killing ban that will only push ships further offshore and drive up costs for Canadian businesses and consumers.
The Conservative Plan: Smart Solutions, Not Trade Barriers
✅ Protect Canada’s trade infrastructure by ensuring anchorages remain available where needed.
✅ Expand and modernize port capacity to reduce delays and improve supply chain reliability.
✅ Work with industry and Indigenous partners, not against them, to implement real solutions that reduce emissions while keeping trade flowing.
Canadians depend on a strong and efficient trade system. Instead of virtue-signaling bans that harm our economy, a Conservative government will support responsible policies that keep goods moving, protect jobs, and ensure Canada remains a leader in global trade.