B.C. lays out West Coast spill response needs ahead of expected federal plan
VICTORIA — British Columbia’s demands for a world-leading marine oil spill response has a long list of requirements, including a coast guard base at Prince Rupert and a multimillion-dollar price tag for the federal government.
The B.C. and federal governments have been in talks for months to develop a West Coast spill response system, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government is expected to announce its plans on Monday. Trudeau is in Vancouver Monday where he has scheduled a news conference.
A provincial Environment Ministry official said in advance of the expected announcement there are 11 gaps in marine safety on the B.C. coast the federal government must address to ensure world-leading spill preparedness and response.
The B.C. official spoke on a background basis and did not want to be identified.