The Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) on Oil Spill Response are regional committees in which the parties involved in and/or impacted by marine oil spills and the oil spill response regime can meet, identify, discuss and realize opportunities. The primary objective of RAC on Oil Spill Response is to share and address issues of mutual concern to the membership. The Councils will also serve as an advisory body and may make recommendations on issues related to improving the strategic framework of oil spill response, in order to safeguard public interest and mitigate detrimental economic and environmental impacts.

The Atlantic Region is composed of two RAC committees, one in Newfoundland and Labrador and one representing Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

The Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) on Oil Spill Response were transferred from the Canadian Coast Guard to Transport Canada on December 12, 2003.

The Canada Shipping Act (CSA), as amended by Chapter 36, Statues of Canada 1993, outlines Canada's new marine oil spill preparedness and response regime. The private sector regime seeks to ensure that Canada is better prepared to respond to ship-source oil pollution incidents. An important component is ensuring the appropriate level of response infrastructure is in place in the event of an incident. The establishment of private-sector response organization, providing a response capability to a maximum of 10,000 tonnes, is introduced for the first time in legislation through Chapter 36.

It is also in Chapter 36, Part XV Pollution Prevention and Response section 660.10 that the establishment of Advisory Councils are first brought into force.

For a complete description of the Canada Shipping Act, please consult this web site.

These Councils comprise seven members, who represent the various sectors affected by the legislation. The Councils form an integral part of the ongoing partnership approach to preparedness and response in Canada. Their discussions provide the opportunity for members to address areas of mutual concern and to provide advice to the Minister of Transport.

The Councils may also advise and make recommendations to the Commissioner, and may report to the Minister or the Standing Committees on Fisheries and Oceans or the Environment.