This week, the Chamber participated in the 3-day Winter 2021 Oceans Protection Plan Forum. The Chamber’s President joined senior representatives from the Council of the Haida Nation and Transport Canada to speak about the planning, implementation and collaboration associated with the trial Voluntary Protection Zone (VPZ) for shipping. This trial aims to increase the distance commercial ships transit west of Haida Gwaii, providing for an adequate response time to a disabled vessel. The project represents a significant and unprecedented collaboration between the Council of the Haida Nation, the Government of Canada, and the maritime shipping industry, along with other advisors and partners, and supports commitments made by the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation to advance collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. The VPZ trial is co-led by the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) and Transport Canada (TC), operating under the collaborative governance structure established in the Reconciliation Framework Agreement for Bioregional Oceans Management and Protection (RFA) and has been developed as part of the Proactive Vessel Management (PVM) initiative of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan (OPP). Industry participation includes the Chamber of Shipping, the Shipping Federation of Canada, Cruise Lines International Association, the International Shipowners Alliance of Canada, and the Council of Marine Carriers. For more information, please visit this website.
