Overview

The Environmental Protection division is responsible for the development and management of regulations, guidelines, various official Transport Canada Publications (TPs), programs and initiatives that focus on the prevention of pollution in maritime operations.

It also is involved with:

• Providing advice to regional Marine Safety Offices, inspectors and managers on queries related to pollution regulations, inspections and incidents;
• Issuing certificates for type approval of pollution prevention equipment on behalf of Canada;
• Issuing certificates of financial responsibility under the Civil Liability Convention;
• Undertaking research and development initiatives, both in the funding and review of projects and contracts;
• Interacting with other departmental environmental groups on common areas of environmental and sustainable development issues, such as aquatic invasive species related to ballast water, risk assessment studies, regulations, etc.; and
• Assisting in the instruction of national Pollution Prevention Officer training across Canada.

The division chairs the Environmental Standing Committee of the Canadian Marine Advisory Committee (CMAC), and is a member of the Canadian delegation at the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee.