Tourism is more important than ever for our city, but isn’t it time to ensure that responsible cruise travel practices are in place that prioritize the interests of residents, local businesses, the environment of Greater Victoria and our surrounding waters?
Since 1999, cruise ship numbers have increased from 34 with 40,000 passengers to an all-time high of over 300 ships with 1 million passengers annually. Despite these vast increases in numbers, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and Victoria council basically allow this industry to operate like it did in grandpa's day.
James Bay residents and our marine life bear the burden of most of the noise, green gas emissions, and large volumes of acidic wastewater from these ships as they sail our coastal waters. And many do not have the capacity to connect to the much-touted, expensive promise of shore power to be installed at taxpayer expense.
For six months of the year, from early morning to 11:30 p.m., it's not only the ships discharging clouds of emissions but also huge, double-decker buses, and countless taxis, transporting the million passengers to downtown and back in a continuous circle around Dallas Road.
I am not advocating that we throw out the baby with the bathwater, but that representatives from municipal, provincial and federal levels of government take action to address these negative impacts and modernize this segment of local tourism.
A few suggestions for ship and transportation improvements could enhance residents' quality of life.
Land transportation: double-decker buses should run only when passenger numbers reach 75% for each trip, with the last bus leaving downtown at 10 p.m. along the Dallas Road ocean route for less impact on residents' homes. Taxis, which are less intrusive to the neighbourhood, are available for later passengers. An action plan should be drafted in 2025 for tour buses to begin the transition to electric in 2026. Victoria Coun. Susan Kim, who serves on the GVHA board, could spearhead this progressive initiative.
Air/ocean pollution: begin transition to electric shore power with a task force formed to draft an action plan before the 2026 cruise ship season. In the meantime, ships, when entering port and manoeuvring, should use the lowest-sulphur fuels to reduce pollutants.
Garbage disposal: for the 2026 season, cease the landing of cruise ship garbage and recycling in Victoria, except for goods locally sourced. Return all garbage, solid and liquid waste, and recycling to the port of origin.
Actions such as these are needed to prevent the continuous growth of overtourism. It is high time that our elected policymakers put Greater Victoria residents and our coastal water inhabitants first.
Elizabeth Kozak
Victoria
