Prince George, B.C. – The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act  introduced in the  House of Commons  last week,  is being praised by the Heiltsuk Nation.

Heiltsuk has been pushing  for decades to ban oil tankers from the north west coast.   

“We will be reviewing the details of the legislation, and we anticipate that this law will bolster our work to protect the lands and waters of our territory,” stated Heiltsuk Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett. “The sinking of the Nathan E. Stewart in Heiltsuk waters this past October taught us many lessons, including how essential it is to improve marine safety on this coast. It will be an important milestone when Parliament approves a tanker moratorium.”  

Last fall, the federal government unveiled its Oceans Protection Plan, committing $1.5 billion to a world leading marine safety system.   The Moratorium  Act, introduced by Transportation Minister Marc Garneau, would prohibit oil tankers from carrying crude and persistent oils as cargo from stopping, loading or unloading at ports or marine installations in northern B.C.

“We look forward to building off the positive momentum of a tanker moratorium, and continuing to work with the federal government to ensure that the Oceans Protection Plan delivers tangible results for our communities and for this coast.” said Slett.