Regulatory Services and Quality Assurance

The Regulatory Services Section is responsible for the processing and tracking of all Transport Canada marine legislation, which includes statutes, regulations, orders and procedures, pertaining to all aspects of marine matters. The section ensures legislation and regulations are developed according to established standards and provides a reference check and editing function for submissions forwarded for approval. It also takes care of minor miscellaneous amendments as well as Standing Joint Committee representations.

One major project within the mandate of Regulatory Services is the Canada Shipping Act ( CSA ) 2001 Regulatory Reform Project. A major milestone was reached on November 1, 2001 when the Act received Royal Assent.

The task now before the Regulatory Reform Project Team is to effect the reform of existing regulations to bring them into compliance with the new Act so that it may come into force.

The Regulatory Services section is also home to both the Canadian Marine Advisory Council ( CMAC ) Secretariat and the International Affairs Secretariat.

CMAC is a consultative body, representative of parties that have a recognized interest in shipping, navigation and marine pollution matters. It consists of both national and regional sessions.

The CMAC Secretariat provides support to senior members of the Department of Transport who coordinate and chair the biennial conference. The role of this council is to advise the Department on matters that fall within its mandate, such as, but not necessarily restricted to:

• the development and acceptance of international conventions, regulations, codes, standards, and recommendations;
• the development and implementation of national statutes, regulations, codes, standards, recommendations and procedures;
• operations and services; and,
• any other matters related to marine safety, marine services and marine pollution prevention.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which, among other things, focuses on the improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from ships. IMO also deals with international aspects of liability and compensation and the facilitation of maritime traffic.

In order to achieve these objectives, representatives of the 156 IMO Member States develop and promote the adoption of conventions, protocols, codes and recommendations concerned with the above.

IMO Committee meetings are also attended by intergovernmental organizations and observers, but these attendees are not allowed to vote on matters for decision.

The International Affairs Secretariat coordinates conferences and liaises with international bodies to support Canada's presence at the IMO .