About the Study

This study began in September 2005 and is expected to be completed in early 2007. Its purpose is to assess and quantify the risk facing the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador over the next 10 years by the transportation of oil and oil products by commercial vessels. The study will provide Transport Canada with extremely valuable information for its role of governance of Canada's Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime.

Once the results are in, Transport Canada can then assess the level of preparedness provided by the Regime, given the level of environmental risk identified, and make necessary adjustments to the Regime as required. Transport Canada may also use the data gathered to further enhance existing programs to minimize the risk of oil spills.

The report on the public consultation sessions held in June and July 2006 is available by selecting this link.

Study Area

As a result of consultations with stakeholders, the area of the study is the entire south coast of Newfoundland, from Cape St. Francis (east near St. John's) to Cape Ray (west near Port aux Basques), including Placentia Bay to the 50-mile limit.