A New Brunswick senator has called on the federal government to take a firmer stance in asserting Canada’s sovereignty over Machias Seal Island — the only remaining piece of dry land disputed between Canada and the United States.
Senator Jim Quinn raised concerns after a US boat-tour company described the island as being “on the Maine coast,” a claim he said undermines Canada’s position. He urged Ottawa to review the permits and oversight given to foreign operators accessing the island.
Machias Seal Island and nearby North Rock sit within a contested maritime zone long referred to as the “Grey Zone.” While the island is uninhabited, Canada maintains a lighthouse there through the Canadian Coast Guard, and both nations claim overlapping rights in surrounding waters.
The island is also known for its large seabird colonies, including puffins, making it a popular destination for eco-tourism and a point of tension whenever foreign tour operators describe it as US territory.
Quinn emphasized that presenting the island as American is “unacceptable” and called for decisive action to prevent any erosion of Canada’s sovereignty and to address ongoing disputes related to fishing and marine activity in the region.
