THE RESUMPTION OF CRUISE IN CANADA

STATEMENT FROM THE ATLANTIC CANADA CRUISE ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE RESUMPTION OF CRUISE SHIP VISITS TO CANADA

The Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA) welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Omar Alghabra, rescinding the Interim Order Suspending Cruise Vessels to operate within Canadian waters as of November 1, 2021. This order was put in place by the Government of Canada to protect Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACCA and its members place the safety of Atlantic Canada’s residents and cruise ship crews and visitors as our top priority. Rescinding the order now will give all industry stakeholders the time needed to implement a plan for the safe resumption of cruise ship visits to Atlantic Canada, adhering to all public health requirements. The first ships to visit Atlantic Canadian ports are not anticipated until the spring of 2022.

The safe resumption of cruise ship visits to Atlantic Canada is important news for residents of our region. Before the pandemic halted visits, the cruise ship sector was responsible for 2,086 jobs and contributed $347.2 million to region’s economy each year. We look forward to seeing those jobs and that economic activity resume as part of Atlantic Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery.