May 25, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – Stephanie Kusie, Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, and Tony Baldinelli, Special Advisor to the Conservative Leader on Tourism Recovery, issued the following statement on Canada’s cruise ship industry and the recently passed United States legislation that permits American cruise ships to avoid stopping in Canadian ports:

“Justin Trudeau’s February 2022 cruise ship ban is yet another example of the Liberals’ failed one-shot summer vaccine procurement plan.

“Had the Trudeau Liberals secured vaccines more quickly, implemented widespread rapid testing, and had a data-driven plan to safely and responsibly reopen our economy, Canadians would not have to worry about the impact the Liberals’ cruise ship ban will have on jobs in the tourism and maritime support sector.

“But, because of the Liberals’ failure to enable safe cruise ship operations in Canada, the U.S. will soon allow cruise ships to travel between Alaska and Washington state without stopping in Canada. 

“Thousands of jobs in the tourism and maritime service industry rely on the safe operation of cruise ships between Canada and the United States. But while the American cruise ship industry will soon begin to safely restart operations, Canada faces months before Canadians can get back to work.

“Canada’s Conservatives are calling on the Canadian Minister of Transport to take immediate action and allow U.S. cruise ships to conduct technical stops, which would allow cruise ships to be serviced at Canadian ports without passengers disembarking. This measure would protect local port jobs and secure Canadian port stops in the future after the Trudeau cruise ship ban ends.

“Only Canada’s Conservatives are working to secure jobs for Canadian port workers and ensure the cruise ship industry will have a safe restart in Canadian waters.”
 

-30-

For more information:

Office of Stephanie Kusie, M.P.
[email protected]
613-290-4744

Office of Tony Baldinelli, M.P.
[email protected]
613-995-1547