TANKER SHIP SAFETY IN CANADA
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Government of Canada has become a world leader in its approach to eradicating substandard shipping and continuously strives to enhance tanker ship safety, reduce and eliminate ship source marine pollution in Canadian waters, and protect the environment.

Transport Canada works in close cooperation with other federal departments and agencies involved in marine safety and enforcement activities, including Environment Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans/the Canadian Coast Guard and other national and international partners, to achieve these goals.

The departments and agencies involved in these common goals have distinctive roles to play. They are as follows.

Domestically

Transport Canada is a world leader in its approach towards eradicating substandard shipping and preventing marine pollution by ships. The department has comprehensive regulations, inspection and enforcement programs in place to enhance the safety of ocean-going vessels and tankers. These programs are supported by Transport Canada’s regulations and standards, under the Canada Shipping Act (CSA), combined with international regulations established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Additional information on Transport Canada’s regulations and programs for tanker ship safety in Canada can be found at www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/backgrounders/b03-M002.htm.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is the lead federal agency responsible for operational responses to oil spills in waters under Canadian jurisdiction. The CCG has established a National Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime which includes emergency contingency plans to coordinate federal and industry response to oil spills and to deploy pollution response equipment located across the country. The CCG also oversees scientific research programs to develop and evaluate oil spill countermeasure technologies and enhance monitoring of oil spills and their trajectories. For additional information on CCG programs, please visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca or call (613) 990-0999.

Environment Canada

Environment Canada (EC) is responsible for providing a coordinated one-window source of scientific and technical information and advice during response operations to an environmental emergency. This includes information and advice on the behaviour and effects of spilled oil and other chemicals; weather forecasting and trajectory modeling; the identification of sensitive ecological areas; spill counter-measures, including the use of equipment, spill treating agents and in-situ burning; shoreline clean-up; and oiled waterfowl triage. The department also implements a number of other non-regulatory initiatives designed to help Canada reduce the frequency, severity and consequences of marine pollution, including awareness campaigns, scientific research and technology development. For additional information on EC’s programs, please visit www.ec.gc.ca/ee-ue or call (819) 953-0607.

Internationally

The International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is an agency of the United Nations that functions as a forum for countries to join their efforts in developing regulations and practices for maritime safety and the prevention and control of marine pollution by ships. Transport Canada plays a leadership role in IMO initiatives. Additional information on the IMO can be found at www.imo.org/home.asp.

Canada works with other countries to ensure that foreign flag vessels entering our waters are in compliance with strict safety and anti-pollution standards established by various major international marine conventions. These joint efforts, known as Port State Control programs, are aimed at detecting substandard shipping and minimizing the threat that it poses to life, property and the marine environment. Canada is signatory to two memorandums of understanding on Port State Control. Additional information on Port State Control can be found at http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/backgrounders/b04-M051e.htm

January 2003