Ships in Canadian waters carry a variety of dangerous goods other than oil that, if released into the environment, could create hazards to human health, harm living resources and marine life, damage amenities, or interfere with other marine activities.
As the behaviour of HNS in water can vary by substance, such as sinking, floating, or dissolving, different response partners, equipment, expertise and analysis may be required depending on the substances involved, and response might not necessarily involve removing it from the water.
The transportation of hazardous and noxious substances by ship is an important part of Canada's international trade. Under the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is establishing a national system for all marine pollution incidents, which includes preparing for potential releases of hazardous and noxious substances from ships into the marine environment.
Over the next few years, the Government of Canada plans to expand capacity to include HNS through the following measures:
- Developing a national HNS preparedness and response policy framework with clear roles and responsibilities for industry, response partners, other governments, and coastal and Indigenous communities
- Following amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 in June 2023, developing regulations to extend the current regime to address HNS, including adding rules such as response plan requirements for HNS handling facilities and vessels carrying HNS
- Acceding to the International Maritime Organization’s Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000 (OPRC-HNS Protocol). Signing on to the Protocol would bring Canada into alignment with international efforts to strengthen measures for HNS preparedness and response
- Expanding Canada’s scientific research and readiness capacity in order to provide response partners with rapid access to scientific information, including fate, behaviour and toxicity of substances of concern
- Developing HNS-specific scientific tools, protocols, procedures and products
- Expanding the Government of Canada’s preparedness and response capability by expanding planning, training and exercising to include HNS
- Attaining appropriate levels of equipment for the Government of Canada’s response personnel
Discussion paper: Developing New Regulations to Improve Readiness and Response for Marine Safety and Hazardous and Noxious Substances Incidents
We want your input on potential rules to increase access to marine emergency services and improve response to pollution incidents.
Your views will help determine :
- Which vessel types should have emergency service arrangements?
- What requirements should be part of these arrangements?
- Which vessels and handling facilities should have hazardous and noxious substances response plans?
- What requirements should be included in the response plans?
- What responsibilities and capabilities should a response coordinator have?
We invite you to read the online discussion paper and welcome your feedback by January 31, 2025.
Eligible Indigenous organizations, communities, and not-for-profit organizations may qualify for funding to support their participation in this project. For more information, please visit Apply for CPFP funding – Marine Transportation Component (canada.ca)
Related links
- Canada's preparedness and response for hazardous and noxious substances released from ships: discussion paper
- The Government of Canada announces new measures in force with passage of Budget Implementation Act to modernize marine protection and safety as part of the Oceans Protection Plan
- Preparing for and responding to marine pollution
- Enhancing marine emergency management
- Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan
- Overview of the 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention
- Understanding chemical pollution at sea (HNS)