June 1, 2022 Vancouver, British Columbia Transport Canada
For generations, British Columbia's waterways have been integral to coastal Indigenous communities in their pursuit of traditional and cultural activities on the water, including fishing and harvesting wildlife. In order to advance reconciliation and address concerns raised by Indigenous communities along the Trans Mountain Expansion Project marine shipping route, the Government of Canada launched the Marine Safety Equipment and Training (MSET) Initiative in October 2020.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra announced funding for six Indigenous communities to improve vessel safety through the MSET Initiative. Snuneymuxw, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h', Pauquachin, Tsawout, Malahat and T'Sou-ke First Nations will receive over $947,000 in funding to purchase marine safety equipment for over 70 vessels, and provide marine safety equipment and training for more than 215 community members.
This funding will help ensure these Indigenous communities are well-equipped to navigate safely through traditional waterways and continue to pass on important cultural knowledge to their community.
Eligible Indigenous communities can apply for MSET Initiative funding until December 31, 2024, or until all funds are fully allocated. Eligible Indigenous communities include:
- Musqueam Indian Band
- Esquimalt Nation
- Squamish Nation
- Malahat Nation
- Tsawwassen First Nation
- Pauquachin First Nation
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- Scia'new (Beecher Bay) Indian Band
- Cowichan Tribes
- Semiahmoo First Nation
- Halalt First Nation
- Songhees (Lekwungen) Nation
- Lake Cowichan First Nation
- Tsartlip First Nation
- Lyackson First Nation
- Tsawout First Nation
- Penelakut Tribe
- Tseycum First Nation
- Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation
- T'Sou-ke First Nation
- Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo) First Nation
- Ditidaht First Nation
- Stz'uminus (Chemainus) First Nation
- Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations (Maa-nulth)
- Pacheedaht First Nation
- Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Maa-nulth)
- Toquaht Nation (Maa-nulth)
- Uchucklesaht Tribe (Maa-nulth)
