Canada has in place a strong regime to ensure that natural resources are transported safely from coast to coast to coast, including mandatory pilotage zones, requiring that large oil tankers be double-hulled and the use of tugboats to escort larger vessels in key waterways.
Under Responsible Resource Development a number of steps are being taken to reduce the risks associated with resource development and transportation of these resources to market.
Responsible Resource Development will strengthen safety and environmental protection by:
- Increasing the number of inspections by the National Energy Board for oil and gas pipelines by 50 percent annually to improve pipeline safety across Canada;
- Doubling the number of comprehensive audits for oil and gas pipelines to identify safety issues before they occur;
- Authorizing the use of administrative monetary penalties for violations of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and the National Energy Board Act. The penalties will range from $25,000 to $100,000 for each day of non-compliance.
- Investing $35.7 million over two years to strengthen Canada’s tanker safety regime, including:
- Implementing new regulations to improve tanker inspections;
- Improving aids to navigation, such as updated charts for shipping routes; and
- Advancing research to improve our scientific knowledge and understanding of marine pollution risks.
- Appointing an independent panel of international tanker safety experts to review the handling process for oil products;
- Implementing stricter measures on confined Canadian waterways, including requiring tanker operators to use a marine pilot with local knowledge when entering a harbour or busy waterway.
Responsible Resource Development achieves the right balance to unleash the potential of our resource sectors to create high-value jobs across Canada while strengthening safety and environmental protection. The development of our natural resources will only proceed if it can be done safely and responsibly.