Image description: Marine Transportation Network
The map of Canada shows the approximate location of the 17 CPA. Each is represented by an anchor in a blue circle. The CPA ports are (in alphabetical order): Belledune, Halifax, Hamilton-Oshawa, Montréal, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Prince-Rupert, Québec, Saguenay, Saint John, Sept-Îles, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Trois-Rivières, Vancouver Fraser and Windsor. Four of these ports are located in the Atlantic Provinces, five in Québec, four in Ontario and four in British Columbia.
Competitiveness and efficiency
The Ports Modernization Review, launched in spring 2018, is strengthening Canada’s port system and making Canada’s Port Authorities more efficient. Once completed, the review will help us update governance structures and promote investments in ports.
In August 2021, the Minister of Transport announced that the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will work with partners to design a new system to manage marine vessel traffic and optimize the flow of supply chains at the Port of Vancouver.
Transport Canada continues to focus on making sure the St. Lawrence Seaway remains a competitive and sustainable transportation corridor for North America. This work is being informed by a review of the Seaway, which was first announced in 2017. As part of this review, Indigenous communities and stakeholders were consulted, including the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, industry, provinces, and municipalities.
Safety and security
Safety and security
Since June 2019, updated provisions have been added to the Pilotage Act and continue to work with stakeholders on creating new regulations that better integrate pilotage into the navigation system.
Transport Canada has improved the oversight of vessel safety by expanding the Small Vessel Compliance Program to help owners and operators to meet the requirement for owning or operating a small commercial vessel.
On June 23, 2021, the new Ballast Water Regulations came into force in Canada. Implementing these regulations strengthen existing rules and protect Canada’s environment from aquatic invasive species and pathogens.
In support of the International Maritime Organization’s decision to ban the use, and carriage for use, of heavy fuel oil by ships in the Arctic, heavy fuel oil has been banned from Canadian Arctic waters starting July 1, 2024.
In 2021, Transport Canada took steps to address the shortage of seafarers by signing agreements with Norway, France, and Australia for recognizing seafarer credentials.
Transport Canada also prepared guidance materials, issued numerous Interim Orders, and worked closely with domestic and international marine partners to support the marine sector throughout the pandemic.
Green transportation
In 2021, Transport Canada held public consultations on a proposed charge to finance a Vessel Remediation Fund. The fee would be paid by vessel owners and used to prevent and address wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous vessels in Canadian waters.
Public consultations were launched on the draft Voluntary Guidance for Relevant Authorities on In-Water Cleaning of Vessels. The voluntary guidance clarifies the recommended best practices that stakeholders can use to manage the risks of cleaning vessels in-water.
Oceans Protection Plan
The Government of Canada continues to deliver projects under the $1.5 billion national Oceans Protection Plan. In partnership with Indigenous and coastal communities, this project is developing a world-leading marine safety system to meet Canada’s unique needs and improve the ability to prevent and respond to marine pollution incidents. Initiatives under the Oceans Protection Plan are listed below.
Building meaningful partnerships
Transport Canada continues to engage and partner with Indigenous Peoples, coastal communities, marine stakeholders, and provinces and territories. As of December 2021, there have been over 2,220 engagement sessions, including more than 1,762 with Indigenous groups.
Indigenous and local communities have been supported through funding programs, like the Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program for long-term projects and the Community Participation Funding Program for short-term projects.
Engaging Canadians
Transport Canada held over 30 engagement sessions with Indigenous peoples and industry to get input and suggestions for the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan. A What We Heard report has been developed to reflect suggestions and comments raised through those sessions.
National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP)
In 2021, NASP aircrews travelled to the Arctic a few weeks later than planned due to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s pandemic-related rules travel. For the 2021 season, the aircraft flew 214 hours observing Arctic waters.
Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping Initiative
Transport Canada collaborated with Indigenous peoples to identify valued components for cumulative effects assessments in six pilot sites under the Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping initiative. Transport Canada continued the development of a draft national framework for cumulative effects assessments, after collaborating with Indigenous partners, academic experts, and stakeholders.
Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness (EMSA)
Transport Canada has partnered with 13 Indigenous communities and organizations to test a new web-based system that increases access to a range of maritime information, including near real-time marine traffic information. Transport Canada is currently expanding the system’s user base to a national scale. So far, about 650 system licences have been distributed to our partners.
Vessels of concern
The Vessels of Concern project is helping to restore marine habitats and ecosystems in key strategic areas. By the end of 2021, Transport Canada addressed 780 abandoned and wrecked vessels, 505 more than the 275 vessels planned at the launch of the Oceans Protection Plan. This works has been done in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Protecting whales
Southern Resident killer whales
For a third year, Transport Canada put in place new and updated rules, including limits on approaching killer whales and creating temporary sanctuary zones to reduce acoustic and physical disturbance from vessels on Southern Resident killer whales. Most vessels complied with these measures in 2021. As of March 2022, Transport Canada has issued $57,814 worth of administrative monetary penalties (fines) to vessels that violated the 2021 rules.
Under the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s ECHO Program, Transport Canada implemented a lateral displacement in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and vessel slowdowns in Haro Straight, Boundary Pass and at Swiftsure Bank.
As part of a commitment to address underwater vessel noise, in spring 2021 the Quiet Vessel Initiative launched a call for projects that focus on new vessel designs and technologies. Projects are currently under review.
North Atlantic right whales
For a fifth year, from April 28 to November 15, Transport Canada put in place vessel traffic management measures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to reduce the risk of vessel colliding with North Atlantic right whales. In 2021, 99% of vessels complied with these rules.
Transport Canada was heavily involved in monitoring right whales through the National Aerial Surveillance Program’s drones and acoustic underwater gliders.
International Maritime Organization
Canada continued work at the International Maritime Organization by securing a new work output and chairing the correspondence group created to review the existing 2014 IMO guidelines on underwater noise.