C-244Clean Coasts Act
An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on September 22, 2025
- Status
- At report stage in the House of Commons since September 23, 2026
What it does
Expands liability for marine damage and adds rules for selling vessels so they are less likely to become wrecks or hazards.
What it does
- Clarifies under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 that a disposal counts even if the act or omission that caused it was not intentional.
- Prohibits a vessel owner from transferring ownership unless they give written information about the vessel's condition and get written confirmation that the buyer has the resources and intent to maintain, operate and dispose of it properly.
- Exempts vessels that are 24 metres or more in length, except pleasure craft, from the new transfer rule.
- Adds the new transfer rule to the offences section of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act.
- Allows regulations to set conditions for the sale, purchase or other transfer of vessel ownership, including steps that must be taken before a transfer.
Who it affects
- Vessel owners
- People buying or selling vessels
- Pleasure craft owners
- Marine operators
Background
The bill amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act. The drafters say it would enhance protection of marine areas by increasing liability for damage to them.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Current stage. Now here
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
2nd reading of Bill C-244, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act
Vote 73,
Passed
202 yeato125 nay
Party breakdown for vote 73 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 168 0 1 Conservative Nay4 broke ranks 4 125 12 Bloc Yea 22 0 0 NDP Yea 7 0 0 Green Yea 1 0 0 Total 202 125
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalPatrick Weiler· November 6, 2025
“That is why I am honoured to rise today to speak to my private members' bill, Bill C-244, the clean coasts act.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeEllis Ross· November 6, 2025
“I thank the member across the floor for this bill, Bill C-244, an act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act. I come from Kitamaat Village, which is at the head of the Douglas Channel on the west coast of British Columbia.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocAlexis Deschênes· November 6, 2025
“Bill C-244 seeks to amend two laws, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, to enhance the protection of marine areas by providing for increased liability for damage to marine areas. That means the owners' liability.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPGord Johns· February 13, 2026
“I would first like to thank my colleague, the member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, for bringing this bill forward, which shows great leadership.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At report stage in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.