The federal government has unveiled a $6.85-million plan to clean up abandoned and derelict boats from Canada’s coastlines.
Ottawa says the Abandoned Boats Program will provide grants over five years to coastal communities where abandoned vessels have become a problem.
The program will cover 100 per cent of eligible boat assessment project costs and up to 75 per cent of boat removal and disposal costs for provinces, local governments and indigenous communities across the country.
Of the $6.85-million, $5.6-million will go to those projects while $1.25-million is earmarked for education, awareness and research projects.
Private ports or marinas, port authorities, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations can also qualify for the grants.
Vessels that have been abandoned in commercial fishing harbours owned by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans won’t qualify for the funding.
Abandoned, derelict vessels have long been a problem in places like Cadboro Bay, where earlier this month volunteers spent a day clearing out the boats.
The government has provided information on how to apply for the grants on its website.
