Re-establish shoreline protection program
Petitioners ask the Prime Minister to re-establish a shoreline protection program for wake-driven erosion in Varennes–Verchères–Contrecoeur. The government responds that the Canadian Coast Guard uses warnings, monitoring and navigation aids to reduce vessel-related shoreline impacts.
Why we would sign this petition
- Directly funds measures to limit wake-driven erosion, helping protect shoreline habitat and riverside communities.
- Focuses on narrow, exposed channel segments (Varennes–Verchères–Contrecoeur) where wake impacts are concentrated, so interventions can be targeted.
- Encourages formal collaboration between federal authorities, Seaway users and shoreline residents for coordinated action and information-sharing.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Would create new federal program costs and administrative needs that could compete with other infrastructure or environmental priorities.
- Erosion stems from multiple causes; focusing on shipping wake risks misattributing causes and funding measures that may not fully stabilise shores.
- Existing Coast Guard warnings, monitoring and navigation aids may already mitigate impacts; enhancing those operations might be more practical than a new program.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Prime Minister The Report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) addressed the topic: “Reducing the Impact of Commercial Shipping on Shoreline Erosion in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Corridor”; TRAN made six recommendations in its report and received a unanimous vote in its favour following debate in the House of Commons; TRAN’s first recommendation is that the Government of Canada re-establish a shoreline protection program in areas where erosion is due in large part to shipping, in particular where the channel is narrow and more exposed to wake; and The passage of commercial vessels through the narrow fluvial section of Varennes, Verchères and Contrecoeur exacerbates shoreline erosion caused by the wake of nearly 8,000 vessels each year, transporting over 110 million tonnes of cargo and more than 80% of all our consumer goods, generating billions of dollars in revenue. We, the undersigned,citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to implement TRAN’s first recommendation and take the necessary steps to counter erosion, protect the environment, wildlife, biodiversity and shoreline communities between Varennes and Contrecoeur, while establishing a relationship of trust and collaboration between the federal government, users of the Seaway and shoreline communities.
Government response
Response by the Minister of National Defence Signed by Sherry Romanado Under its mandate to support safe and efficient navigation on Canadian waterways, the Canadian Coast Guard undertakes operational measures that help limit navigation-related pressures on shoreline areas. The Canadian Coast Guard continues to carry out work that aligns with the Government Response to the Eleventh Report by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities with regard to reducing vessel-related impacts to Canadian shorelines. While decisions regarding shoreline protection programs rest with the federal government as a whole, the Canadian Coast Guard contributes by delivering navigation services and operational activities that help reduce vessel-related pressures on sensitive shoreline areas. In particular, the Canadian Coast Guard: Issues navigational warnings and advisories to support safe-speed practices that help reduce wake-related impacts on nearby shorelines. Issues navigational warnings and advisories to support safe-speed practices that help reduce wake-related impacts on nearby shorelines. Monitors vessel movements and operating conditions around the clock, ensuring mariners receive timely information when water levels or other factors heighten shoreline sensitivity. Monitors vessel movements and operating conditions around the clock, ensuring mariners receive timely information when water levels or other factors heighten shoreline sensitivity. Maintains aids to navigation that guide vessels through the safest parts of the channel and help keep traffic away from exposed or shallow shoreline areas. Maintains aids to navigation that guide vessels through the safest parts of the channel and help keep traffic away from exposed or shallow shoreline areas. Manages seasonal ice conditions, reducing the risk of sudden ice movement or water-level fluctuations that can contribute to shoreline instability. Manages seasonal ice conditions, reducing the risk of sudden ice movement or water-level fluctuations that can contribute to shoreline instability. Provides environmental response capacity, helping protect shoreline habitats when marine incidents occur. Provides environmental response capacity, helping protect shoreline habitats when marine incidents occur. Collaborates with partners and local authorities to share information and support coordinated approaches to navigation-related shoreline concerns. Collaborates with partners and local authorities to share information and support coordinated approaches to navigation-related shoreline concerns. The Canadian Coast Guard remains committed to carrying out the mandate-aligned activities that support safe and environmentally responsible navigation on the St. Lawrence River.