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Interim Order Respecting the False Creek Exclusion Zone

Whereas the Minister of Transport believes that the annexed Interim Order Respecting the False Creek Exclusion Zone is required to deal with a direct or indirect risk to marine safety or to the marine environment;

And whereas the provisions of this annexed Interim Order may be contained in a regulation made under paragraphs 136‍(1)‍(f)Footnote a and (h)Footnote a of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001Footnote b;

Therefore, the Minister of Transport makes the annexed Interim Order Respecting the False Creek Exclusion Zone under subsection 10.1‍(1)Footnote c of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001Footnote b.

Ottawa, May 25, 2026

Minister of Transport
Steven MacKinnon

Definition

Definition of exclusion zone

1 In this Interim Order, exclusion zone means the area of False Creek, Vancouver, in British Columbia, east of the Cambie Bridge.

Prohibitions

Pleasure craft

2 (1) The owner or operator of a pleasure craft must not allow it to navigate, anchor, moor or berth in the waters of the exclusion zone.

Vessels carrying passengers

(2) The authorized representative of a vessel that is carrying passengers must not allow it to navigate, anchor, moor or berth in the waters of the exclusion zone.

Exceptions — Pleasure Craft

Exceptions

3 Subsection 2‍(1) does not apply in respect of a pleasure craft that

  1. (a) is subject to a mooring agreement with a marina located within the exclusion zone, if the pleasure craft
    1. (i) is transiting from the marina to waters outside the exclusion zone by the most direct route, or vice-versa, or
    2. (ii) is anchored, moored or berthed at the marina;
  2. (b) is in distress or is being used to provide assistance to a vessel or person in distress;
  3. (c) is forced to navigate, anchor, moor, or berth in waters in the exclusion zone to avoid immediate danger;
  4. (d) is being used by an employee of the Government of Canada or a peace officer in the performance of their duties or by a person who is assisting them or who is otherwise present at the request of the Government of Canada;
  5. (e) is being used to fish, under a licence issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations,
    1. (i) for food, social or ceremonial purposes, or
    2. (ii) for domestic purposes under a treaty within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982; or
  6. (f) is being used for non-commercial purposes by an Indigenous person exercising an existing right, other than for fishing, under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Exceptions — Vessels Carrying Passengers

Exceptions

4 Subsection 2‍(2) does not apply in respect of a vessel carrying passengers that

  1. (a) is subject to a mooring agreement with a marina located within the exclusion zone, if the vessel
    1. (i) is transiting from the marina to waters outside the exclusion zone by the most direct route, or vice-versa, or
    2. (ii) is anchored, moored or berthed at the marina;
  2. (b) is in distress or is providing assistance to a vessel or person in distress;
  3. (c) is forced to navigate, anchor, moor, or berth in waters in the exclusion zone to avoid immediate danger;
  4. (d) is being used by an employee of the Government of Canada or a peace officer in the performance of their duties or by a person who is assisting them or who is otherwise present at the request of the Government of Canada;
  5. (e) is transporting a representative of the Government of Canada or of a province for the purpose of their attending an event in an official capacity; or
  6. (f) operates a regularly scheduled service along the False Creek waterway with stops at the Plaza of Nations dock and the Olympic Village dock.

Enforcement

Enforcement officers

5 For the purpose of ensuring compliance with section 2, the following persons or classes of persons are appointed or specified as enforcement officers:

  1. (a) marine safety inspectors;
  2. (b) marine security inspectors;
  3. (c) members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
  4. (d) members of any harbour or river police force;
  5. (e) members of any provincial, county or municipal police force; and
  6. (f) persons designated as a fishery officer under subsection 5‍(1) of the Fisheries Act.

Powers

6 An enforcement officer may

  1. (a) prohibit the movement of any vessel or direct it to move as specified by the enforcement officer; and
  2. (b) stop and board any vessel at any reasonable time and
    1. (i) direct any person to put into operation or cease operating any equipment on board the vessel,
    2. (ii) ask any pertinent questions of, and demand all reasonable assistance from, any person on board the vessel, and
    3. (iii) require that any person on board the vessel provide the enforcement officer with any document or information, for examination, that is in the person’s possession.

Repeal

7 This Interim Order is repealed on July 8, 2026.

Coming into Effect

June 1, 2026

8 This Interim Order comes into effect on June 1, 2026, but if it is made after that day, it comes into force effect on the day on which it is made.

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