SARNIA, Ontario – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the completion of a week-long environmental response training session led by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) in the Hamlet of Resolute Bay, Nunavut. The training, which began August 19, 2010, focused on safety and emergency response techniques in the event of a tanker fuel spill. It included the proper use of pollution control equipment supplied by the Canadian Coast Guard, shoreline cleanup, and boat handling. Canadian Rangers from across the North and selected Resolute residents participated.
“In 2010 we exercised our emergency response capabilities in Resolute, and are working closely with Northern residents, including Canadian Rangers, community leaders, industry, and other response organizations to make sure we are as prepared as possible” said Minister Shea. “The Canadian Coast Guard is very much aware of the unique marine environmental sensitivities in the Arctic. Our training was an opportunity for all responders to work together to improve communications and coordination for potential responses to pollution incidents in Canadian Arctic waters.”
Following the week of training, new skills were put to the test yesterday in a one-day exercise on the shoreline of Resolute Bay. The exercise was named Tallurutiit (pronounced Tal-lur-ROO-teet), an Inuktitut word that references the North West Passage. Tallurutiit was a sub-component of Operation Nanook, a Canadian Forces-led operation conducted by Canada Command and Joint Task Force North.
A team of expert responders, led by the Canadian Coast Guard, deployed a beach flush kit, representative booming, and a Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Team. This was a scenario only, and no actual oil was used. Other Government of Canada agencies, including Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and Public Safety Canada, were involved in the exercise.
For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, please visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca
For more information about DND’s Operation Nanook, please visit
www.forces.gc.ca
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For more information:
Theresa Nichols
Communications Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Central and Arctic Region
204-983-0600
Theresa.Nichols@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
