Exhaust gas cleaning systems, commonly known as scrubbers, are used on ships to remove sulphur dioxide from exhaust emissions to comply with sulphur standards, allowing vessels to continue using high-sulphur fuels. While scrubbers may reduce air pollution, they transform the air pollution into marine pollution by discharging contaminated washwater into the ocean. Washwater contains toxic substances such as heavy metals, carcinogens, and acidic compounds that accumulate in marine ecosystems, harming marine mammals [2]. Research shows that scrubbers contribute to ocean acidification and pose significant risks to marine life, including endangered species such as beluga whales and killer whales [2]. Varying regional restrictions on the use of open-loop scrubbers, “which continuously discharge contaminated washwater” [2], exist in 45 countries, including Brazil, China, Germany and the U.S.A. Unfortunately, despite piecemeal restrictions at specific Canadian ports, Canada has yet to implement policies to prohibit or regulate scrubber discharges nationally [2]. Leveraging existing legislation such as the Fisheries Act and the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, Canada can take a proactive approach to marine conservation and shipping. Implementing a ban on scrubber discharge in Canada would help lead the maritime transport sector towards low-sulphur fuel alternatives preventing further degradation of marine ecosystems in Canada.