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Official record· LEGISinfo ↗House of Commons · Bill C-244

C-244 · Clean Coasts Act

An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act

Introduced Sep 22, 2025·Sponsor: Patrick WeilerLPCMEDIUM
AI-assisted analysis
At a glance
  • Amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to increase penalties for harming marine areas.
  • Prohibits vessel owners from transferring ownership if they know the new owner can't properly maintain the vessel.
  • Enhances protection of marine environments by holding owners more accountable.
Marine area residentsVessel ownersEnvironmental activists
AI-assisted analysis
What's actually in this bill
Full billProhibition on irresponsible vessel ownership transfer
What it does

This bill includes provisions that prohibit the disposal of certain substances in Canadian marine areas and prevent owners of vessels from transferring ownership if they know or are reckless about the new owner's ability to responsibly manage the vessel.

Why it matters

These measures aim to protect Canada's marine environment from pollution and the dangers posed by derelict vessels. Protecting marine ecosystems is crucial for biodiversity, fishing industries, and recreation.

The problem it addresses

The bill addresses the issues caused by pollution from substances disposed in marine areas and the abandonment of hazardous vessels.

Who benefits

The general public and environmental groups benefit from cleaner oceans and reduced hazards from wrecked or abandoned vessels.

The tradeoff

Vessel owners face restrictions on transferring ownership, which may limit their ability to sell or dispose of their vessels freely; this places a responsibility on them to ensure that new owners are capable of proper vessel management.

vessel ownersmarine environmentalistspublic health advocatesfishing industriesrecreational users of marine areas
Read the actual text (4)
Short title

1This Act may be cited as the Clean Coasts Act .

Disposal in waters under Canadian jurisdiction

2The portion of subsection 125(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: 125 (1) No person or ship shall dispose or allow the disposal of a substance in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e) unless

Transfer of ownership

3The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act is amended by adding the following after section 34: 34.1 It is prohibited for an owner of a vessel to transfer ownership of it to a person, if the owner knows that — or is reckless as to whether — the person lacks the ability, resources or intent to maintain, operate or dispose of the vessel in a manner that prevents it from becoming wrecked, abandoned or hazardous.

4Paragraph 90(1)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following: (a) subsection 30(1) or 32(1), section 33, subsection 34(1) or section 34.1 ;

Official record· parl.ca ↗
Official drafter summary (parl.ca)

This enactment amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act,1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act to enhance the protection of marine areas by providing for increased liability for damage to marine areas. Available on the House of Commons website at the following address: www.ourcommons.ca 1st Session, 45th Parliament, 3 - 4 Charles III, 2025 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-244 An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: Short Title Short title 1 This Act may be cited as the Clean Coasts Act . 1999, c. 33 Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 2 The portion of subsection 125 ( 1 ) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: Disposal in waters under Canadian jurisdiction 125 ( 1 ) No person or ship shall dispose Insertion start or allow the disposal Insertion end of a substance in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122 ( 2 )‍(a) to (e) unless 2019, c. 1 Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act 3 The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act is amended by adding the following after section 34 : Transfer of ownership Start of inserted block 34.‍1 It is prohibited for an owner of a vessel to transfer ownership of it to a person, if the owner knows that — or is reckless as to whether — the person lacks the ability, resources or intent to maintain, operate or dispose of the vessel in a manner that prevents it from becoming wrecked, abandoned or hazardous. End of inserted block 4 Paragraph 90 ( 1 )‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following: (a) subsection 30 ( 1 ) or 32 ( 1 ), section 33, subsection 34 ( 1 ) Insertion start or section 34.‍1 Insertion end ; Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons Publication Explorer Publication Explorer ParlVU Senate House of Commons Library of Parliament Employment at Parliament Important Notices $(function () { $('[data-toggle="tooltip"]').tooltip({ delay: { "show": 300, "hide": 50 }, placement: "top" }) }) $(document).ready(function () { var rawUrl = '/documentviewer/en/45-1/bill/C-244/first-reading'; $("a[href$='#StartOfContent']").each(function() { var newHref = rawUrl + "#StartOfContent"; $(this).attr('href', newHref); }); })

AI-assisted analysis
What MPs debatedCONTESTED23 speeches · 13 MPs · 15,588 words
Themes
Marine pollutionAccountability in vessel ownershipEnvironmental protectionCoastal community risks
Points of contention
  • Concerns about the vagueness of seller liability in ownership transfers
  • Debate on the effectiveness of the bill in addressing root causes of abandoned vessels
  • Differing views on government response effectiveness and enforcement issues

Liberal and NDP largely support the bill, while Conservatives raise concerns about implementation and enforcement.

Where MPs stood11 MPs · grouped by party · ranked by speaking volume
AI-assisted analysis
CPC5 spoke · 0 support · 1 oppose
Mel Arnold
Mel ArnoldMIXED1 speech · 1,436 words
Argued the importance of protecting Canada's waters and aquatic habitats, emphasizing collective priorities among constituents.“I appreciate the intention of the bill, which I believe to be the prevention of pollution. That is an objective that we can all hopefully agree is worthwhile.”
AR
Alex RuffMIXED1 speech · 1,361 words
Argued that the bill aims to strengthen Canada's ability to manage abandoned and hazardous vessels.“Many noted that this vessel, which has fortunately been removed, had even sunk five years previous to the incident in 2024, so this has been an ongoing concern.”
Ellis Ross
Ellis RossMIXED1 speech · 1,182 words
Argued that while the intent of the bill is good and aims for environmental protection, existing regulations have failed to meet expectations.“The intent of the bill is good. First nations and non-first nations all want to see a cleaner environment, whether it be terrestrial or marine.”
Helena Konanz
Helena KonanzOPPOSES1 speech · 1,009 words
Criticized the bill for not addressing the root cause of abandoned vessels.“Bill C-244 attempts to address this issue but would not fix the root cause.”
Jeff Kibble
Jeff KibbleNEUTRAL1 speech · 186 words
Acknowledged the concerns for the environment and derelict vessels.“Could the member opposite perhaps explain what liabilities the seller would then have, with the onus on them, as a new owner would take on that boat?”
LPC3 spoke · 3 support · 0 oppose
Patrick Weiler
Patrick WeilerSUPPORTS7 speeches · 3,757 words
Argued that Canada's marine environment must not be treated as a dumping ground and that local communities shouldn't bear the cost of pollution.“This bill takes two important steps to better protect our coastal environment, boaters and coastal residents by proposing to amend key federal laws.”
Robert Morrissey
Robert MorrisseySUPPORTS1 speech · 1,166 words
Argued that Bill C-244 provides important tools to hold vessel owners responsible for their vessels' end-of-life management.“Bill C-244 proposes amendments to two important pieces of federal legislation... to ensure that when vessels are passed from one owner to another, they are not neglected to the point that they are abandoned, wrecked or hazardous.”
Will Greaves
Will GreavesSUPPORTS4 speeches · 757 words
Argued that Bill C-244 takes important steps to address the issues of derelict vessels in coastal communities.“The clean coasts act is a common-sense, preventative measure. It would protect our blue economy, save millions in future salvage costs and honour our commitment to maintaining the health, beauty and accessibility of the B.C. coast and all of Canada's coasts for everyone.”
Legislative stages
  1. First reading (House of Commons)
    Sep 22, 2025
  2. Second reading (House of Commons)
    Feb 25, 2026