There are more vessels and goods being transported on Canadian waters than ever before, helping to grow our economy and create good middle-class jobs to build an economy that works for everyone. New approaches and innovations are changing how we ship goods through our waters and Canada's marine safety system must also evolve to continue to protect Canadians and the environment.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that with the passage of Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, new legislative changes to help the Government of Canada protect our oceans are now in force. This includes new measures to strengthen marine safety, respond faster and more effectively to more types of marine pollution, to take action on abandoned boats in our waters, and to provide better compensation for communities impacted by a spill.
Three acts - the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, the Marine Liability Act, and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act - have been amended as part of Canada's Oceans Protection Plan to strengthen marine safety on our waters. These changes will:
- Provide faster access during incidents to port and emergency services, such as marine firefighting and emergency towing;
- Reinforce the preparedness and response to marine incidents that involve hazardous and noxious substances, in addition to oil. Vessel and facility operators will be required to report hazardous and noxious substance spills and have response plans;
- Strengthen enforcement of safer navigation by all vessels;
- Introduce penalties for companies such as importers, manufacturers, and retailers of pleasure craft if they do not attach proper identification information and serial numbers to boats;
- Establish a Vessel Remediation Fund to finance activities that will assess, address, and prevent problem vessels from becoming hazards to navigation; and
- Improve the compensation available after a spill for all types of harvesting including fishing, hunting, and gathering of Indigenous traditional medicines, and expand the amount for future losses.
The legislative changes are in response to feedback from Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders, and Canadians while partnering to advance the Oceans Protection Plan.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, scientists, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. Canada's Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren.
