Environment initiatives planned for April 2021 – April 2023

You can use this page to find information on planned regulatory initiatives that Transport Canada expects to bring forward over the next two years (April 2021 – April 2023). The full versions of each plan are published in the Canada Gazette. It also lists public consultations that might interest you and departmental contact information for each planned initiative.

On this page

Initiative(s) planned for the Canada Gazette, Part I

1. Marine Environmental Protection Regulations New

Enabling act

Canada Shipping Act (S.C. 2001, c. 26)

Description

The proposed regulations would create a specific framework to provide greater protection of marine species and the marine environment from the impacts of navigation and shipping activities.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

Transport Canada expects that there may be small impacts on vessel owners and operators, including fishing vessels and pleasure craft as well port communities and related businesses as has been the case with current interim measures for the protection of Southern Resident killer whales and North Atlantic right whales. The proposed regulations will address the risks of shipping practices on marine species and the marine environment, which are currently being addressed through Interim Orders under the Act.

Regulatory cooperation

The proposal is intended to complement the regulations of other federal organizations that include express authority to protect marine species, and the marine environment and will be developed and implemented in close cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Ocean in particular.

Consultations

Transport Canada will initiate consultation via the Canadian Marine Advisory Council (National and Regional). In Year 2022-2023, a policy paper with the intent to introduce the regulations will be posted on Transport Canada's Let's Talk Transportation website seeking input from stakeholders.

Transport Canada expects that there will be a 60-day comment period once the regulations are pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in 2023.

Departmental contact information

Elizabeth Werszko
Manager, Legislative, Regulatory and International Affairs,
Marine Safety and Security
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-999-2986
Email: elizabeth.werszko@tc.gc.ca

Michel Charron
Manager, Clean Water Policy
Environmental Policy
Transport Canada
Telephone: 613-219-2861
Email: michel.charron@tc.gc.ca

First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2021