The government of Canada announced an USD1.39 million investment in research and development, to enhance marine pollution prevention and responsiveness in the country’s oceans.
Through its Oil Spill Response Science (OSRS) program, the Government of Canada provided the University of Alberta with USD600,000 to develop an oil-and-water separation system that may be eventually deployed on a recovery vessel to significantly reduce the cost and spill-response time for a marine cleanup.
Member of Parliament Randy Boissonnault also announced over $925,000 to B.C. Research Inc., a company with a broad experience in chemical product development, to further develop a hybrid spill-treating agent that will help slow or prevent the spread of an oil slick on water.
OSRS is a four-year, $5-million program, under the national Oceans Protection Plan, aimed at improving the technologies and techniques for recovering or removing heavy oil products from marine environments, in the unlikely event of a spill.
“Our oil and gas industry is an economic engine for our province — creating jobs, generating revenues and bringing new opportunities. We also recognize the importance of environmental stewardship, investing in clean technology and driving clean growth. Environmental responsibility is a condition of Canada’s economic success. It is essential we protect our oceans while we develop our resources,” said Mr. Boissonnault.
Under the Oceans Protection Plan, the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways, the government has so far announced several fundings, including programs to assess the environmental effects of shipping, to reduce marine traffic issues, as well as introduction of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (Bill C-64) in Parliament.
