Canada, as a signatory to these conventions, has an obligation to transpose their provisions into its national legal framework.
On the federal level, Transport Canada, under the Canada Shipping Act (2001), has the mandate to oversee commercial navigation activities in Canadian waters to ensure they are secure and safe for the environment. More specifically, Transport Canada is responsible for the development and management of regulations, guidelines, various publications, programs and initiatives that focus on the prevention of pollution in maritime operations.
Canada has included most of the conventions’ provisions into the following federal regulations :
Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations
These regulations cover air pollution, pollution from garbage, noxious liquid substances, dangerous chemicals, oil, sewage, as well as from anti-fouling systems.
Dangerous Goods Shipping Regulations
These regulations specifically deal with the pollution from dangerous goods transported by sea in packaged forms, in freight containers, portable tanks or road and rail tank wagons.
