Thank you.
In addition to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, as mentioned by my colleague as being the cornerstone ensuring marine transportation is safe, efficient, and protects the environment, the transportation of dangerous goods in Canada is regulated under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and associated regulations. They're administered by Transport Canada's transport of dangerous goods directorate and establish the regulatory requirements for the importing, handling, offering for transport, and transport of dangerous goods by all modes—rail, road, air, and marine—within Canada.
These two pieces of legislation together cover the safe transport of dangerous goods. Compliance with both the TDG Act and the Canada Shipping Act and associated regulations is required as they apply. The TDG Act does not apply to dangerous goods confined only by the permanent structure of a vessel, for example, a tanker. The TDG regulations make reference to the International Maritime Organization's international maritime dangerous goods, or IMDG code, for certain requirements. This code was developed as a uniform international code for the transport of dangerous goods by sea, covering such matters as packing, container traffic and stowage, with particular reference to the segregation of incompatible substances. The TDG and marine safety and security directorates of Transport Canada have a memorandum arrangement that clarifies the roles and accountabilities in the administration and coordination of regulatory and oversight activities in the transport of dangerous goods by the marine mode. Transport Canada’s marine safety and TDG directorates have also established a joint process for reviewing applications for exemptions from the requirements stipulated under the cargo, fumigation and tackle regulations, and the TDG regulations.
In addition to marine safety inspections, a marine shipment of dangerous goods could be subject to a dockside TDG inspection. TDG inspections are performed at ports like Halifax and Vancouver, including inspections for shipments of dangerous goods moving to Canada’s north. As with other TDG inspections, inspectors will verify compliance with the TDG regulations, including use of proper means of containment, shipping documents, and classification. In cases where non-compliance is found, Transport Canada does not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.
Emergency response assistance plans, or ERAPs, are an essential pillar for the transportation of dangerous goods program. An ERAP is a plan to ensure that there is an immediate and effective response to an actual or imminent release of dangerous goods. ERAPs are required by the transportation of dangerous goods regulations for certain high-risk dangerous goods that require specialized expertise and response equipment.
In the marine mode, an ERAP is required both for the loading of dangerous goods onto a vessel, as well as during the off-loading of dangerous goods from a vessel. An ERAP is not required while the vessel is in transit although requirements under the Canada Shipping Act would apply. International marine shipments are exempt altogether from the ERAP requirements. Instead, international marine shipments must comply with the requirements of the IMDG code.
Transport Canada provides immediate dangerous goods information and support following an incident via CANUTEC, our 24-hour emergency response centre. CANUTEC is staffed by bilingual professional scientists specialized in emergency response and experienced in interpreting technical information. CANUTEC advisers can provide advice to first responders in the case of an incident involving dangerous goods. In particular, for marine incidents involving dangerous goods, including a major oil or noxious substance spill, CANUTEC will provide technical assistance to callers, including first responders. Once a call is received, CANUTEC will advise the Canadian Coast Guard as well as notify a TDG marine safety inspector of the incident.
Between the robust requirements under the Canada Shipping Act and those in the TDG Act, and the work being done on the world-class tanker safety initiative, marine shipments of dangerous goods are moving safely, and in the rare event of an incident, there are measures in place for an effective response.
My colleagues and I would welcome now any questions you may have.