Report by Tanker Safety Expert Panel, Transport Canada
The Tanker Safety Expert Panel announced its report entitled as ”A Review of Canada’s Ship-source Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime – Setting the Course for the Future” aiming to improve Canada’s system in order to better protect the public and the environment.
“Marine shipping contributes importantly to Canadian economic growth, jobs and long-term prosperity,” said the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources.
“The Tanker Safety report commissioned by our government provides independent, objective recommendations that will support our goal of world-class maritime safety.”, Transport Canada reports
The independent panel consulted with pan-Canadian industry stakeholders, spill response organizations, owners and operators of oil handling facilities, vessel owners and operators, ports, industry associations, as well as Aboriginal organizations, federal and provincial governments, and US officials. It also solicited written submissions from the public via its website.
In the report, the Panel recommended that, although the oversight of spill response should fall with the federal government, Area Response Planning based on oil movement, vessel traffic, and environmental and socio-economic sensitivities would be the most effective method of preparing for a oil spills of any size.
The Gulf of Saint Lawrence, St. Lawrence River and southern coastal British Columbia were deemed to be at greatest risk due to the volume of ship traffic and the high level of environmentally sensitive areas.
The Area Response Plans would also include a pre-spill evaluation of the use of alternative methods such as dispersants, allowing local environmental sensitivities to be taken into account when such actions are considered.
Removal of the cap on the Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund, with provisions to reinstate oil transport levies to rebuild the fund if needed, may help responders recoup costs of response. Post-spill environmental monitoring and a regular schedule of joint response exercises are also recommended.
The Panel is now working on a second report, evaluating the special circumstances of Arctic-like conditions in areas above 60 degrees North. This report will also address oil spills in ‘unsheltered waters’ off all of Canada’s coastline.
Key recommendations:
- Removing the current $161-million liability limit for each spill in favour of an unlimited liability for polluters.
- Annual spill training exercises.
- Regional risk assessments based on local geography.
- Faster emergency responses to spills.
- Increased resources for the coast guard, Environment Canada and Transport Canada to help improve the system
Learn more information by reading the report