Canadian Navigable Waters Act

Marginal note:Minister’s powers

16 The Minister may cause any wreck, vessel or part of a vessel resulting from the wrecking, sinking, partial sinking, lying ashore or grounding of a vessel, or may cause any other thing, to be secured, removed or destroyed in the manner that the Minister considers appropriate if, in the Minister’s opinion,

• (a) the navigation of any navigable water over which Parliament has jurisdiction is obstructed, impeded or rendered more difficult or dangerous for more than 24 hours by the wreck, vessel, part of a vessel or thing;

• (b) the wreck, vessel, part of a vessel or thing has been in a position for more than 24 hours that is likely to obstruct, impede or render more difficult or dangerous the navigation of any such navigable water; or

• (c) the wreck, vessel, part of a vessel or thing is cast ashore, stranded or left on any property belonging to Her Majesty in right of Canada and has been an obstruction or obstacle, for more than 24 hours, to the use of that property as may be required for the public purposes of Canada.