Victoria, BC – May 13, 2020 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard with Transport Canada has decided that the proposed Canadian Coast Guard Victoria Search and Rescue Float is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects

In making this determination, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard with Transport Canada considered the following factors and mitigation measures:

  • Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples: Engagement with the Songhees and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations was conducted and both Nations has confirmed that the activities within the project will not have a negative impact on their rights;
  • Indigenous knowledge: the lands and waters around the project area were and are traditionally used by the  Songhees and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations. Project activities will not negatively impact the surrounding traditionally used land and water;
  • community knowledge;
  • comments received from the public: No public comments were received;
  • mitigation measures: Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Plan has provided project specific mitigation measures. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard also contracted Archipelago Marine research Ltd. to conduct a habitat survey and prepare project specific mitigation measures for the project to follow.


Implementation of mitigation measures is required for the project to address:

  • Potential abalone habitat in the nearshore area of the project
  • Adjacent eel grass beds
  • Water and sediment quality
  • Coastal riparian and shoreline
  • Marine mammal transit
  • Fish and fish habitat

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard with Transport Canada is satisfied that there is little potential for the project to cause adverse environmental effects on areas of federal jurisdiction. Environmental effects that are within provincial jurisdiction would be addressed through provincial regulations.

Therefore, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard with Transport Canada may exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.

Document Reference Number: 2

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