No. H135/13
For release - October 10, 2013
VANCOUVER — The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today welcomed the study commissioned by the province of British Columbia regarding the West Coast Spill Response Study and reiterated the Government of Canada’s commitment to a world-class tanker safety system.
“Our government is committed to protecting both the safety of Canadians and our environment,” said Minister Raitt. “Through our government’s plan for Responsible Resource Development, we are ensuring the safe and reliable transport of energy resources through our waterways.”
The Government of Canada has appointed a Tanker Safety Expert Panel that is reviewing Canada’s already robust system and will propose further measures to strengthen it. Over the past six months, the panel has engaged stakeholders to enhance the government’s knowledge and understanding of how well the current system is working, review our current preparedness and response capacity, and propose new ways to bring Canada’s tanker safety system to a world-class status.
“We look forward to the results of the Tanker Safety Expert Panel review later this fall,” added Minister Raitt. “Our government shares a common goal with the BC government – the responsible development of resources to benefit all Canadians supported by a world-class Marine Oil Spill Prevention & Response System.”
Other measures announced by the Government of Canada as part of a World-Class Tanker Safety System include increased tanker inspections; systematic surveillance and monitoring of ships; implementation of an incident command system; review of pilotage programs; new public port designations and scientific research; a pan-Canadian risk assessment study on oil spills; assessment of needs for new and modified aids to navigation; and a review of the marine liability and compensation system.
Additional information can be found here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2013-h031e-7089.htm.
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