The Oceans Protection Plan aims to strengthen marine safety and environmental protection. To support this goal, we updated the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to improve how Canada prepares for and responds to marine emergencies and pollution incidents. Amendments to the legislation included the ability to develop regulations in 2 areas:
- Enhancing marine safety incident response:
- Requiring certain vessel types to have arrangements in place to access marine emergency services, such as marine firefighting and disabled vessel assistance (e.g. salvage and emergency towing)
- Preparing for and responding to marine pollution incidents:
- Improving how vessels and handling facilities prepare for and respond to marine incidents that involve hazardous and noxious substances
- Introducing a vessel response coordination role to improve response to all types of pollution incidents
We shared an initial intentions discussion paper in October 2024, which provided information and asked for feedback on the proposed regulatory objectives and scope. In June 2025, we shared a What We Heard Report that outlined our engagement activity and summarized the feedback we received on the initial intentions discussion paper.
We are seeking your input on a second discussion paper that builds on what we heard during the initial consultation in 2024 and includes more details about the proposed regulations. This will help us better understand potential impacts and inform the draft regulations, which will be published later for further feedback.
Join in: how to participate
Read the discussion paper and then email your comments to OPP.EMEM.HNS-PPO.AGUM.SNPD@tc.gc.ca by April 17, 2026.
Who is the focus of this consultation
We want to hear from:
- Indigenous Peoples
- coastal communities
- industry stakeholders
- the Canadian public
Key questions for discussion
The discussion paper provides details about new rules that we propose for three areas:
- Vessel emergency services arrangements
- Preparing for and responding to hazardous and noxious substances incidents
- Vessel response coordination for marine pollution incidents
We want to understand the following for each of these areas:
- Do you agree with the proposal?
- How might the proposals impact your organization or community?
- Do you have any concerns, or changes to suggest?
Related information
- Potential regulations to increase access to marine emergency services and to improve response to pollution incidents first discussion paper and what we heard report
- Preventing spills from vessels
- National Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime
- Improving Canada’s response to hazardous and noxious substances (closed consultation)
- Transportation of dangerous goods in Canada
- Marine liability and compensation: oil spills
- Canada Shipping Act, 2001
- Community Participation Funding Program
Contact us
Oceans Protection Plan
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks St
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Email: OPP.EMEM.HNS-PPO.AGUM.SNPD@tc.gc.ca