Category Archives: Tourism

B.C. municipalities want action on cargo and cruise ship pollution

By Natasha Bulowski with files from Rochelle Baker, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporters

B.C. municipalities are pushing for stronger environmental protections from the federal government to keep harmful cargo and cruise ship pollution out of the ocean.

In a “historic” motion unanimously passed Sept. 16, the Union of BC Municipalities asked the province to urge the federal government to address pollution produced by exhaust cleaning systems on cargo and cruise ships, according to a Stand.earth press release.

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Wilderness Tourism Association’s new Executive Director: Looking towards ‘a really bright future’

Janeen Sutherland has been the Wilderness Tourism Association’s (WTA) Executive Director for close to three months. 

The North Vancouver native has a background in tourism and sustainable community development. 

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Cruise ships self-reported compliance with new wastewater guidelines to Transport Canada

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The federal government says cruise ships operating in Canadian waters have overwhelmingly met the more stringent wastewater guidelines put in this spring.

However, critics say Transport Canada’s report is very light on details and the industry’s largest source of water pollution remains untreated. 

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From Cortes to Zimbabwe: A Love Story

Oriane Lee Johnston described her book launch  in the Cortes Museum’s Heritage Garden as ‘a perfect fulfillment.’

“There we are in the Heritage Garden of Cortes Museum and Archives. I counted afterwards probably more than 65 people and I’m standing looking out at my friends and neighbours who are happily attentive and all smiling. It felt wonderful,” she said.

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Scuba diver fined $12K for getting too close to killer whales

By Kaitlyn Bailey,  Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A provincial court judge has fined a scuba diver $12,000 for getting too close to a pod of killer whales near the Prince Rupert Harbour – the largest fine to be ordered for this type of offence.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada said Aug. 22 that Thomas Gould, a scuba diver and owner of a commercial dive vessel, knowingly entered the water too close to a pod of seven northern resident killer whales near Prince Rupert Harbour on Apr. 25, 2020.

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