Victoria BC city council approved a controversial motion in an attempt to limit the number of cruise ships coming into the port over environmental concerns.
The motion debated at last week’s committee of the whole meeting directs GVHA (Greater Victoria Harbour Authority) to keep cruise ship levels at the current ones and not sign any long-term contracts until the concerns of the city are met.
It also asks staff to study the “jurisdiction on regulations for the cruise ship industry with respect to waste and emissions” of the city.
The B.C. capital experienced a record high of 243 cruise vessels enter the harbour of the city in 2018, according to GVHA, carrying around 640,000 passengers. That marked growth from 2010, when 212 vessels carried nearly 440,000 passengers.
That activity has been an economic contributor to the port city, generating upwards of US$130 million per year.
The motion needs to be ratified at the next council meeting on October 24 before staff can act on recommendations.