Dear Member,
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra today announced that the ban on passenger ships in Canadian waters will end on November 1st of this year, allowing for a return to a full cruise season in 2022 for operators who are able to fully comply with public health requirements.
This will coincide with the lapse on November 1st of the recent U.S. legislation which is temporarily allowing certain foreign flag passenger vessels to operate between U.S. ports, contrary to the Jones Act.
We understand that over the next few months, Transport Canada (TC) – along with Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) – will work together with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Department of Homeland Security to standardize procedures on both sides of the border aimed at establishing a “North American” regime for the cruise industry.
TC will also engage with industry stakeholders in Canada to provide for a consistent approach to cruise across the country.
The news release announcing the lifting of the current ban can be found at this LINK.
Sincerely,
Michael Broad
President