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
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, 2001 (CSA 2001), combined with international regulations established by the International Maritime Organization. Additional information on Transport Canada’s regulations and programs for tanker ship safety in Canada can be found online.

Transport Canada is also responsible for developing and administering policies, regulations and programs to protect the marine environment, to mitigate the impact on the environment of marine pollution incidents in Canadian waters, and to ensure the safety of the general public. It works with other federal agencies and departments, such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard and Environment Canada, to establish guidelines, the regulatory framework and mechanisms for the preparedness and response to oil spills through Canada’s Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime. Transport Canada also manages the National Aerial Surveillance Program, to detect pollution violations in Canadian waters and to collect evidence to prosecute offenders.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard is the lead federal agency responsible for ensuring an appropriate response to marine pollution incidents in waters under Canadian jurisdiction. For additional information on Canadian Coast Guard programs please visit them online.

Environment Canada

Environment Canada 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 Environment Canada’s programs, please visit them online or call (819) 953-0607.

Internationally

The International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization is an agency of the United Nations under which countries to join forces to develop regulations and practices for maritime safety and the prevention and control of marine pollution by ships. Transport Canada plays a leadership role in International Maritime Organization initiatives. Additional information on the International Maritime Organization can be found online.

Memorandums of Understanding on Port State Control

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 a member to two memorandums of understanding on Port State Control. Additional information on Port State Control can be found online.

October 2007