A flurry of work that swiftly removed several barely afloat docks from Ganges Harbour last week was a surprise to local elected officials, they said — but a good one.
Transport Canada confirmed the harbour clean-up work was completed through the federal Navigation Protection Program (NPP), telling the Driftwood a total of 10 derelict docks were removed from Salt Spring Island’s busiest waterway on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Several local companies — including Eagle Eye Marine, Health Cooper Trucking, Island Marine Construction and Salt Spring Garbage & Recycling — were seen taking part in a coordinated effort to tow in, lift out, load up and haul away the poor-condition docks, all of which had been tagged by the federal agency.
“The docks were in disrepair and non-compliant with the Canadian Navigable Waters Act,” according to a statement from Transport Canada, “and due to their condition had the potential to pose a risk to navigation for vessels in the area.”
Among its responsibilities, the NPP manages obstructions in navigable waters, both enforcing regulations for private buoys and authorizing salvage, removal or disposal of abandoned boats.
By coincidence, during a joint meeting just two days later, trustees on Salt Spring’s Local Trust Committee and members of the island’s Local Community Commission (LCC) discussed the latter’s plans to host another workshop on the future of Salt Spring’s harbours, similar to the roundtable held last year — and tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 16.
Almost 40 people attended the 2025 workshop, which saw representation from First Nations, the Islands Trust, the Harbour Authority of Salt Spring Island, commercial marine operators, environmental stewards, community interest groups and residents of boats living in Ganges Harbour.
Absent from that gathering were representatives from both provincial and federal agencies holding jurisdiction over many harbour issues.
This time, commissioners are hoping for the participation of senior government officials — including elected representatives, who will shortly be receiving early invitations, according to staff. The LCC also indicated while the derelict dock work was “welcome and encouraging,” being notified it was going to take place beforehand would’ve been equally so.
“I think it came as a surprise across the board,” said LCC chair Earl Rook at Thursday’s joint LCC/LTC meeting, to nods of agreement. “I hope they can attend our session in April.”