Introduction

The Canada Shipping Act (CSA) is the principal piece of legislation dealing with commercial and recreational vessel use in Canadian waters. The CSA is one of the oldest Acts in Canada and is attended by more than 100 regulations.

Over the years, ad hoc amendments have been made to the Act with the result being a piece of legislation that is difficult to use and which hinders the economic performance of Canada’s marine industry.

A breakthrough was achieved with the adoption of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001), which received Royal Assent on November 1, 2001.

This new Act is a streamlined and modernized version of the old one and will come into force when the regulations needed in support of it have been developed, which is expected to occur in early 2007.

The regulatory reform work is being carried out by the Office of Marine Safety at Transport Canada and implementation of the reform will proceed through two phases:

• Phase 1 - regulations that are not compliant with the new Act are being remodeled and reduced in number. In addition, new regulations required by the CSA 2001 are being developed. Phase 1 regulations will come into force in early 2007; and,  
  
  
• Phase 2 - post- implementation of the CSA 2001, will see the regulations that are in compliance with the new Act updated.

For more information about the Phase 1 consultation documents, please follow this link.