Canada Continues Prohibiting Cruise Ships

The Canadian Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced new Interim Orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022.

This means adventure-seeking pleasure craft are still prohibited from entering Arctic waters; passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast; and cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.

Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to follow local public health guidance and protocols and follow mitigation measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks.

“As Canadians continue to do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, our government continues to work hard to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe. Temporary prohibitions to cruise vessels and pleasure craft are essential to protect the most vulnerable among our communities and avoid overwhelming our health care systems. This is the right and responsible thing to do, stated Honourable Omar Alghabra in a press statement issued on February 4, 2021.

Those who do not comply with the pleasure craft prohibition could be subject to penalties: $5,000 per day for individuals and $25,000 per day for groups or corporations. And those who do not comply with the passenger vessel prohibition could be liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to $1 million or imprisonment for a term of up to 18 months, or both.