Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Cruise ships return to B.C., with tourist dollars and environmental concerns in tow

Cruise ships return to B.C., with tourist dollars and environmental concerns in tow

CBC
Saturday, April 9, 2022 12:03 PM GMT

Simone Kearney-Rodriguez is looking forward to putting cash in the register this weekend when the first crowd of cruise ship passengers pull into port in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, after the last two cruise seasons were cancelled due to COVID-19.

The owner of the Beaver Gift Shop says her family business almost sunk without the support of hundreds of thousands of cruise tourists that have kept her afloat for more than 30 years.

 "We're still alive, but it took everything that I had to keep going," she told CBC's On the Island.

She's not alone: according to the Tourism Industry Association of B.C., cruise ships contribute about $2.7 billion annually to the provincial economy, supporting tourism-oriented businesses in coastal cities like Victoria, Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

"We're a tourist town," said Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce in an interview in the James Bay neighbourhood, where docked tourists stock up on gifts and candy.

"These businesses have always been reliant on tourism and some of them are down 80 or 90 per cent of revenue."

More than 300 ships are expected to call at B.C. ports between now and November, bringing in upward of a million customers. But along with their tourist dollars are some concerns, including the possible arrival of new cases of COVID and the environmental impact of giant ships floating through delicate coastal ecosystems.

The first ship to arrive on B.C.'s coast is the Koningsdam, part of the Holland America line.

The ship hosts a seven-day cruise from San Diego, Calif., to Vancouver, and will arrive at a Victoria port Saturday.

Under federal regulations, cruise ship passengers arriving in Canada need to be fully vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before boarding at departure points, and are monitored before arrival in Canada.

Dr. Horacio Bach of the University of British Columbia's faculty of medicine says cruise companies appear to have learned lessons from the early days of the pandemic, when COVID-19 outbreaks forced them to stay at sea for weeks, and now have strong testing regimes and medical facilities on board to prevent problems.

Recent research by environmental organizations warns the industry is treating the province's sensitive coast as a dumping ground for polluted wastewater, and that what bodes well for business is bad news for the environment.

"B.C. is the toilet bowl for the cruise industry," says Anna Barford, a shipping campaigner at environmental advocacy group Stand.earth.

Barford says cruising creates more greenhouse gas emissions than air travel, and lax Canadian regulations mean billions of litres of potentially dangerous sewage, greywater and washwater are likely dumped in B.C. coastal waters every year.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
'I decided to live my life': Man with epilepsy walking from Montreal to B.C. to raise awareness

A man from Montreal is walking across Canada with a cart, a bike and his service dog, Timber and he's expected to pass through Sudbury, Ont., sometime next week. 

Halifax stadium debate raises questions about use of public space, taxpayer spending

On days the Halifax Wanderers play at home, Keara Turner can be found in the stands with an enthusiastic group of fans known as Privateers 1882.

Historic Miramichi homestead closed after province cuts funding

As the sun beats down on a hot July day, a cool breeze drifts off the mighty Miramichi River flowing past the fields of the MacDonald Farm.

Remembering iconic Montreal jazz drummer, bebop master Norman Marshall Villeneuve

Norman Marshall Villeneuve, iconic drummer of the Canadian jazz scene known for his musicality, mentorship and spirited passion, has died. He was 87 years old. 

Winnipeg Folk Fest thrives amid cruel summer for Canadian multi-artist events

Nineteen years ago, Gary Conway bought a ticket to the Winnipeg Folk Festival to hear singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn.

Edmonton a step closer to tap credit, debit payments to ride transit

The City of Edmonton is launching a trial period to expand its transit payment system to include direct credit and debit card transactions.

No, David Suzuki hasn't given up on the climate fight — but his battle plan is changing

Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki made headlines last week when he said in an interview with iPolitics that humanity has lost its fight against climate change.

As former Olympian-turned-councillor faces domestic assault charge, women-led advocacy group is silenced

A firestorm of controversy has been brewing in Niagara Falls, Ont., in the weeks since a former Olympian-turned-councillor was charged with domestic assault.

Loved ones grieving 'gentle and kind' man after he dies at the Windsor jail

The 32-year-old man who died at the Windsor jail last month is being remembered as a great man who always wanted to help those who needed it. 

Thunder Bay, Ont., family who took fight for girl's autism funding to court to learn if it was worth it

In one week, Patrick Cully will find out whether his five-year-old daughter Scarlet will be able to continue the life-changing therapy she's relied on for more than a year — or if long waitlists and a lack of funding will halt her progress.

'Morale has hit an all-time low': Conestoga College union speaks out on layoffs

As Conestoga College faces layoffs and program suspensions, the union leaders representing its employees say the toll on the workers is mounting.

Summerside's downtown revitalization effort has businesses feeling some hope

Hoping to drive more people downtown and breathe more life into the area, the City of Summerside is now going over a number of recommendations on how to revitalize its downtown and waterfront. 

'A betrayal': Yukon First Nations call on government to repeal mining amendments

Yukon First Nations are calling on the territorial government to repeal amendments it made in May to mining regulations.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Oil leaking from old equipment and barrels at Nanisivk mine, Nunavut government assessing

The Nunavut government says it's working on a clean-up plan after reports of an oil spill near Arctic Bay. 

Canada needs a U.S. trade deal but shouldn't have set a negotiation deadline, says Poilievre

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canada urgently needs to land a trade deal with the United States but it should not have set a deadline for negotiations because U.S. President Donald Trump "will try to take advantage" of the time crunch.

Mayor of Beauval, Sask., says more crews needed after wildfire reached village

After wildfire reached the edge of Beauval, Sask., the village's mayor says the evacuation and firefighting response have been very effective, but he wants more crew in the area to support overworked responders.

City councillors exploring micro-shelters as homelessness crisis in Toronto soars

With Toronto's homeless population doubling in the last three years and shelters overflowing, city councillors have voted to explore whether Toronto could operate micro shelters in underutilized Toronto Transit Commission parking lots.

2 teen girls charged in Oshawa swarming attack, police say hate not believed to be factor

Two girls have been arrested in a swarming attack on a Muslim woman in Oshawa, Ont., and police say there is no evidence so far to indicate hate was a factor.

New charge laid against Matthew Craswell over 2023 incident at West Kent Elementary

WARNING: This story contains disturbing descriptions of child sex abuse. Resources and supports for anyone who has experienced sexual violence can be found at the bottom of this story.

Associate of Montreal billionaire arrested and charged with multiple sex crimes

Montreal police have arrested a man who allegedly assisted billionaire Robert Miller by organizing a network to sexually exploit young women and girls. 

Toronto police homicide unit investigating body discovered near Hwy. 401 in Pickering

Toronto police are investigating a homicide in the area of Highway 401 and Whites Road in Pickering.

Richmond Row employee fighting for life in hospital after stabbing

Police have arrested a London man following a stabbing that left a downtown employee in critical condition.

Woman, 82, and man, 77, dead after collision in Uxbridge: police

A woman, 82, and a man, 77, have died after a collision in Uxbridge on Thursday, police say. 

Calgary firearms business 'very frustrated' as RCMP classifies rifle prohibited

A Calgary-based firearms company says one of its rifles being classified as prohibited by the RCMP has thrown his business into "crisis mode."

Chaotic 2021 N.L. election saw votes cast using sticky notes, people sending selfies to get ballots

Votes were cast using sticky notes, people tried registering for ballot kits using selfies as ID and more than 500,000 envelopes had to be ordered at the 11th hour as officials in Newfoundland and Labrador scrambled to switch to a provincewide mail-in election following a COVID-19 outbreak in 2021.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us