The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act supports the government’s Oceans Protection Plan, a national strategy to protect Canada’s coasts while growing the economy. The moratorium regulates vessels that transport crude oil or persistent oil to or from ports or marine installations located along British Columbia’s north coast.
On this page
- Overview
- Oil products to be covered by the moratorium
- Non-compliance and enforcement
- Amendment protocol
- Five-year review
- Oceans Protection Plan
Overview
On June 21, 2019, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act received Royal Assent. The moratorium prohibits oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tons of crude oil or persistent oil products as cargo from stopping, loading, or unloading at ports or marine installations in the moratorium area.
The moratorium covers the area from the Canada/United States border in the north, down to the point on British Columbia’s mainland across from the northern tip of Vancouver Island. It also includes Haida Gwaii. It protects the waters of Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait, and Queen Charlotte Sound. The moratorium complements the existing voluntary tanker exclusion zone that has been in place since 1985.
Shipments of less than 12,500 metric tonnes continue to be allowed in the moratorium area, ensuring north coast communities and industries can receive critical shipments of heating oils and other petroleum products.
Read the community and industry resupply study for information on the 12,500 metric tonnes threshold.
Oil products covered by the moratorium
The moratorium applies to the shipment of crude oils as defined by the International Maritime Organization convention - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The moratorium also aligns with this adopted convention and applies to related oil products that are heavier and, when spilled, break up and dissipate slowly.
Examples of related oil products included in the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act:
- Partially upgraded bitumen
- Synthetic crude oil
- Petroleum pitch
- Slack wax
- Bunker C fuel oil
Examples of related oil products not included in the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act:
- Liquefied natural gas
- Gasoline
- Naphtha
- Jet fuel
- Propane
For more detailed information, see the complete list of the persistent products included in the moratorium.
Non-compliance and enforcement
To demonstrate the seriousness of the Government of Canada’s commitment to enforcing the moratorium, it includes an enforcement regime and penalty provisions. Penalties match the scale of a violation and could reach up to $5 million.
Amendment protocol
To request the addition or removal of a specific product from the Schedule of Persistent Oils, contact TC.OTMArequests-DemandesDeLMRP.TC@tc.gc.ca for detailed information on the submission process.
The Governor in Council has the authority under the Act to amend the Schedule through regulation. Products for addition or removal from the Schedule are identified for assessment via proposals submitted by proponents. The amendment process considers the latest science and evidence around the fate and behaviour of persistent oil products when spilled. Environmental safety is the main consideration.
Five-year review
The moratorium allows for any committee of the Senate, House of Commons, or both to conduct a five-year review of the legislation to study the impact of this moratorium on the environment, on social and economic conditions and on the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Oceans Protection Plan
The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act complements the Government of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan (OPP). The Government is taking action to significantly increase environmental protection across Canada. Launched in 2016 and renewed in 2022, OPP is enhancing Canada’s marine safety and environmental protection system, with the objective of reducing the impacts of marine traffic along all of Canada’s coastlines and major waterways. Since 2016, the OPP has made shipping safer, increased protections for our marine ecosystems, and strengthened the role of Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities. The plan is driving more pro-active approaches to ocean stewardship, while also improving capacity to respond to marine incidents.