Transport Canada’s role in Mackenzie Gas Project
Transport Canada is responsible for the transportation policies, programs and
goals set by the Government of Canada. The department works to ensure that all
parts of the transportation system work effectively and in an integrated manner
to provide Canadians with a sustainable system that is safe, secure, efficient
and environmentally responsible.
The department conducts its work under the authority of a number of acts and
regulations, including the Aeronautics Act, Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention
Act, Canada Marine Act, Canada Shipping Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Act and the Railway Safety Act.
Transport Canada’s role is to ensure only qualified operators carry out air,
airport, surface and marine operations, and safety and security standards are
maintained in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
With respect to the Mackenzie Gas Project, the department will carry out its
safety and security mandate by ensuring regulatory requirements are met for land
and ice airstrips marine shipping, bridges, roads, helicopter landing pads, rail
and aircraft. Transport Canada’s regulations apply to facilities, equipment and
personnel.
Transport Canada provides specialist advice to the project approval bodies, the
Joint Review Panel and the National Energy Board, by reviewing and making
recommendations on the Environmental Impact Statement associated with the
project.
Under the Navigable Waters Protection Act, Transport Canada is responsible for
regulatory approval of anything built in, on, over, under, through or across any
navigable waterway. The department reviews all applications to ensure any
structure built does not hinder the navigability of the waterways for boating
safety.
As part of Transport Canada’s security role, it conducts security-related
consultation, inspection and certification for any new or existing airports or
marine ports in accordance with transportation security legislation.
For more information, please contact:
Glyniss Hutchings, Communications, Winnipeg (204) 984-2256
January 2006
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