by Dean Stoltz July 5, 2025 6:31 pm. https://cheknews.ca/province-cancels-crown-lease-for-deep-water-recovery-in-union-bay-1264987/

Union Bay residents opposed to a ship breaking business on the shores of Baynes Sound were celebrating Saturday after word came out that the province had cancelled a crown lease, critical to its operation.

“We feel somewhat vindicated by the work that’s been done and the action that’s been taken,” said Ian Munro, president of Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound.

“I would say it’s a very decisive action by the province. It’s not very often that they cancel crown leases,” said Daniel Arbour, Comox Valley’s regional director for district A. 

“Crown lease is basically what allows them to operate on the water and have access to the uplands so without that they won’t be able to utilize that space or bring ships in, store ships or otherwise.”

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In its decision, the Ministry of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship said:

“Deep Water Recovery (DWR) has not demonstrated the level of regulatory compliance, operational responsibility, or environmental stewardship required to justify entrusting them with the use of Crown land to enable management and dismantling of end-of-life vessels.

Given DWR’s defaults, the province has determined and proceeded with the cancellation of DWR’s lease to protect the public interest.”

Josie Osborne, MLA for the Mid-Island-Pacific Rim stated, “Ship recycling, repair and maintenance are important components of BC’s maritime industries, and they must be done safely, responsibly, and in accordance with laws and regulations.

Osborne noted that ship recycling at Union Bay had been in operation since 2020, with “particular focus and deep concerns expressed by many, many people, organizations, and local government and First Nations leaders about impacts to the local environment, including the incredible Baynes Sound marine ecosystem.”

The local group, Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound, has been a vocal opponent of the company, Deep Water Recovery and there have been numerous protests over the years.

“Of course this is a step, it’s a big step you know, that we have the government saying this can no longer continue. Of course we expect that certain things will continue,” added Munro.

They think that because the company still has numerous boats and barges on land, that it might still be allowed to work.

“It’s early days right now but I’m sure the province will be working with the operator to see how to deal with remaining vessels and come up with a plan I guess for stopping the activities,” said Arbour.

Arbour says Regional District litigation against Deep Water Recovery for zoning non-compliance issues is continuing.

Owner of Deep Water Recovery, Mark Jurisich, did not respond to a request for comment Saturday.

Meanwhile, residents agree that ship breaking is a critical industry but point out there are no current ship breaking guidelines in Canada. 

“We all believe that ship breaking needs to happen, we know that. But it needs to happen responsibly, properly and with regulatory authority and oversight,” said CCOBS member Ray Rewcastle. 

“Ships with much newer materials need to be built in a dry dock but ships 50 or 60 years old full of hazardous materials can be dismantled on the shore of the ocean. It makes no sense.”

As recent as June 20, the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks issued its 20th formal non-compliance action — including warnings and administrative penalty referrals — to Deep Water Recovery under the Environmental Management Act.