Pilotage Authorities

 

The Pilotage Act establishes designated “compulsory pilotage areas” in Canadian waters where certain vessels are required to have a marine pilot, or pilotage certificate holder, on board to guide the vessel’s transit. 

Pilotage authorities are legislated to be financially self-sufficient and receive no appropriations from the Government of Canada. As Crown corporations, they operate at arm’s length from their sole shareholder, the Government of Canada. While the shareholder provides policy direction for the corporation’s ongoing operations, as stated in the Financial Administration Act, each authority’s Board of Directors ensures that the corporation fulfils its mandate by setting the corporation’s strategic direction, organizational goals, and monitoring their implementation. Authorities report to Parliament through the Minister of Transport.  

Website of the Pacific Pilotage Authority

The Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It operates in five distinct compulsory pilotage areas (i.e., districts)—four coastal districts and one Fraser River district. Pilotage services are delivered primarily to cruise ships and international shipping vessels transporting containers, forestry products, and grain between North America and Asia. 

The overwhelming majority of pilotage assignments are carried out through a service contract with the British Columbia Coast Pilots Ltd. In 2022, the PPA completed 12,089 assignments. For the same year, the PPA recorded a total of $105.6 million in revenues and $104.7 million in expenses.  

Chief Executive Officer: Julie Gascon

Chairperson: Lorraine Cunningham

Board: 7 member (including the Chairperson)

Size: 117 employees (2022)

Website of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority

The Atlantic Pilotage Authority (APA)’s head office is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The APA provides pilotage services in 17 compulsory ports in the Canadian waters surrounding the four Atlantic Provinces, including the waters of the Bay of Chaleur, Quebec. Foreign-flagged vessels provide the majority of the APA’s business. The APA also endeavours to provide pilotage service to other areas, referred to as non-compulsory areas, upon request. The APA primarily services tankers, container ships and cruise ships. 

In 2022, the APA completed 8,079 assignments. For the same year, the APA recorded a total of $32.8 million in revenues and $31.4 million in expenses. 

Chief Executive Officer: Captain Sean Griffiths

Chairperson: Jack Gallagher

Board: 7 members (including the Chairperson)

Size: 85 employees (2022)

 

Website of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority

The Great Lakes Pilotage Authority (GLPA) is headquartered in Cornwall, Ontario and delivers pilotage services within the Great Lakes and pilotage waters of Churchill, Manitoba. 

The GLPA’s operations are divided into six compulsory pilotage areas (i.e., districts), which include waters contiguous with the United States. GLPA pilots perform harbour, river and lake pilotage services within domestic and international waters for a variety of vessel types carrying a range of cargos. The overwhelming majority of these assignments are performed on foreign-flagged, ocean-going ships during the navigation season of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The GLPA coordinates operations with the United States Coast Guard. 

In 2022, the GLPA completed 9,315 assignments. For the same year, the GLPA recorded a total of $46.0 million in revenues and $43.9 million in expenses.  

Chief Executive Officer: A/Captain James Pound

Chairperson: Captain James Pound

Board: 7 members (including the Chairperson)

Size: 94 employees - including pilots (2022)

Website of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority

The Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA) is headquartered in Montréal, Quebec. LPA operations are carried out in three compulsory pilotage districts: the Port of Montreal, the navigable waters between Montreal and Quebec City, and the navigable waters between Quebec City and Les Escoumins, including the Saguenay River. The LPA primarily services bulk carriers, oil tankers and container ships. 

In 2022, the LPA completed 22,115 assignments.  For the same year, the LPA recorded a total of $108.1 million in revenues and $107.5 million in expenses.  

Chief Executive Officer: Marc-Yves Bertin

Chairperson: A/Julius Spivack

Board: 7 members (including the Chairperson)

Size: 65 employees (2022)