Preparedness and Response

Managing the Response

The Canadian Coast Guard is the lead agency responsible to ensure the clean-up of all oil, and other noxious substance spills, in Canadian waters. Canadian law places the onus for responding to pollution incidents on the polluter and the Coast Guard's role, through its Environmental Response Division, is to monitor the polluter's efforts.  If a polluter is unknown, unwilling, or unable to respond to an incident, Coast Guard will step in and manage the response.  However, this does not lessen the polluter's responsibility.  Through legislation, the Canadian Coast Guard can seek compensation for costs incurred when managing or monitoring the response to an incident.

For more information on the role of the Canadian Coast Guard.

Preparedness and Response Regime

Transport Canada is the lead agency responsible for Canada's Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime. The Department ensures that the appropriate level of preparedness is available to respond to oil spills. Learn more about Transport Canada's role in oil spill preparedness and response.

Transport Canada is presently undertaking an Environmental Risk Assessment Study of the South Coast of Newfoundland and Labrador as part of its responsibilities under Canada's Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime.

Part of the Regime's framework includes Transport Canada's participation in the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) on Oil Spill Response.