If a marine pollution accident happens in Canadian waters, the Marine Liability Act and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act include rules that compensate those impacted, lost income from fishing and tourism, subsistence fishing and harvesting, prevention measures, property damage, and environmental remediation.
If the costs of ship-source oil pollution are more than the amount of compensation available from the shipowner, international funds and Canada’s Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund can help make sure all victims are compensated.
The Oceans Protection Plan modernized Canada's Ship-Source Oil Pollution Fund and the Marine Liability Act so unlimited compensation is available for eligible claims from the Ship-Source Oil Pollution Fund. The next phase will further explore expanding access to compensation for Canadians impacted by oil spills.
On this page
- Types of incidents that could lead to compensation
- Exporters and receivers: Submit an annual information return report
- Limitation of liability for maritime claims
Types of incidents that could lead to compensation
The Marine Liability Act and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act include rules that ensure that if a marine incident happens in Canadian waters, people affected can be compensated for eligible losses. Depending on the incident, vessel owners can be held liable (responsible) for damage to property, the environment and injuries to people.
There are many different types of incidents that could lead to compensation:
- Involving oil pollution
Polluters are financially responsible for oil pollution damage caused by any oil from any type of vessel, even if the pollution is accidental. Liability and compensation for oil pollution from ships in Canada is based on international conventions, which make sure the polluter pays. - Involving passengers
In Canada, we’ve introduced regulations to help compensate passengers involved in marine incidents - Wrecks
In Canadian waters, vessel owners are liable (responsible) for the costs of removing wrecks that affect safe navigation or the environment.
Exporters and receivers: Submit an annual information return report
When it comes to marine oil spills or incidents that involve chemicals or other dangerous goods, shipowners and compensation funds cover the costs of all eligible losses and damages. The compensation funds are financed by levies placed on cargo owners. To make sure that the compensation funds have enough money to cover all eligible losses and damages, the Marine Liability Act requires receivers and exporters to report the type of product and amount of product they receive in, or export from, Canada by sea.
Learn about annual information return reports and the HNS and Oil Reporting System
Limitation of liability for maritime claims
Shipowners have the right to limit their liability (financial responsibility) if their vessel is involved in a marine incident. Limiting liability supports maritime trade and our economy by making costs more predictable, including the cost of insurance.
Learn about limitation of liability for maritime claims