Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the witnesses for joining us today. I also want to thank them for their work on this issue.
This is a large bill that enacts the Aviation Industry Indemnity Act and amends, among others, the Aeronautic Act, the Canada Marine Act, the Marine Liability Act and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. So its scope is fairly broad.
Many of this bill's provisions have been approved at the industry's request to establish safer rules. We also support the polluter pays principle. These measures are steps in the right direction, especially given the situation with the Marine Liability Act. I have a few more questions about that.
Generally speaking, given the large number of budget cuts and station closures, the NDP asked that the bill's scope be broadened in order to protect the coasts. Like Canadians, we are very concerned about environmental protection.
I would now like to go back to part 4 of the bill, which amends the Marine Liability Act.
Mr. Meisner, is a ship owner's liability limited in the case of hazardous and noxious substance spills?