Bill C-606: An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (prohibition against the transportation of oil by oil tankers on Canada's Pacific North Coast)

C-606 Third Session, Fortieth Parliament, 59 Elizabeth II, 2010 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-606 An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (prohibition against the transportation of oil by oil tankers on Canada's Pacific North Coast) first reading, December 14, 2010 Ms. Murray 403246 SUMMARY This enactment amends Part 9 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to prohibit the transportation of oil by oil tankers in the areas of the sea adjacent to Canada’s Pacific North Coast known as Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance. It also allows the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to designate other areas of the sea in which the transportation of oil by oil tankers is prohibited. Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca .vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;} .vis2 {position: static;} 3rd Session, 40th Parliament, 59 Elizabeth II, 2010 house of commons of canada BILL C-606 An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (prohibition against the transportation of oil by oil tankers on Canada's Pacific North Coast) Whereas Canada’s quality of life is closely connected to the sea, and the oceans are an integral part of our environmental, social, cultural and economic fabric; Whereas the ocean environments within Canada’s exclusive economic zone are a world treasure, home to some of the most abundant and diverse webs of marine life on earth; Whereas it is in the public interest of Canadians to protect the ocean’s vital natural resources; Whereas the coastal and inland areas adjacent to the Pacific North Coast of Canada constitute the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact, coastal temperate rainforest left in the world; Whereas Canada recognizes that oceans offer significant economic and cultural resources, and opportunities for economic diversification, which benefit all Canadians, and particularly coastal communities; Whereas the sustainable economic development of the Pacific North Coast region, and especially economic opportunity in remote communities, is highly dependent on investment and employment in sectors requiring healthy ecosystems, such as fisheries and tourism; Whereas the transportation of oil by oil tankers in certain areas of the sea adjacent to the coast of Canada poses a risk to the marine and coastal environment, to the communities that depend on that environment and to all Canadians who share in the common heritage of the oceans; Whereas the Pacific North Coast of Canada is presently free from the risk of an oil tanker spill, as oil tankers do not currently travel in the areas of the sea known as Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance; Whereas alternative routes exist for the current and projected sale and transport of Canadian oil to export markets; And whereas the Parliament of Canada wishes to affirm in law the protection of the Pacific North Coast of Canada from oil tanker spills; 2001, c. 26 Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: 1. The Canada Shipping Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following after section 189: Prohibition Interpretation Definitions 189.1 The following definitions apply in sections 189.2 and 189.3. “gas”« gaz » “gas” means natural gas and includes all substances, other than oil, that are produced in association with natural gas. “oil”« pétrole » “oil” means (a) crude petroleum, regardless of gravity, produced at a well-head in liquid form, and (b) any other hydrocarbons, except coal and gas, including hydrocarbons that may be extracted or recovered from surface or subsurface deposits, such as deposits of oil sand, bitumen, bituminous sand or oil shale, and includes oil that has been treated to render it suitable for transportation. “oil tanker”« pétrolier » “oil tanker” means a vessel that is constructed or adapted primarily to carry oil in a hold or tank that is part of the structure of the vessel, without any intermediate form of containment. Prohibition 189.2 (1) No person shall transport oil in an oil tanker in the areas of the sea adjacent to the coast of Canada known as Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance, as described in Schedule 4 and depicted in the map set out in Schedule 5. For greater certainty (2) For greater certainty, the prohibition in subsection (1) does not apply in respect of the transportation of gasoline, aviation fuel, diesel oil or fuel oil that is intended for use in coastal and island communities in Canada. Designation of other prohibited areas 189.3 The Governor in Council may, by order made on the recommendation of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, designate other areas of the sea within Canadian waters in which the transportation of oil by oil tankers is prohibited. 2. Subsection 191(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after that paragraph: (c.1) section 189.2 (prohibition against operation of oil tanker in specified area); (c.2) an order made under section 189.3 (prohibition against operation of oil tanker in designated area); and 3. The Act is amended by adding, after Schedule 3, Schedules 4 and 5 set out in the schedule to this Act. SCHEDULE (Section 3) SCHEDULE 4 (Section 189.1 and subsection 189.2(1)) DESCRIPTION OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND, HECATE STRAIT AND DIXON ENTRANCE Those areas of the sea adjacent to the Pacific coast of Canada, bounded by a straight line beginning at 50°58.522'N Latitude and 127°28.147'W Longitude (Westcott Point), then proceeding to 50°56.512'N Latitude and 127°39.513'W Longitude (Bright Island), then proceeding to 50°56.686'N Latitude and 127°53.961'W Lon- gitude (Secretary Point), then following the northerly shoreline of Hope Island to 50°54.820'N Latitude and 127°59.842'W Longitude (Mexicana Point), then proceeding to 50°52.622' N Latitude and 128°03.181'W Longitude (Cape Sutil), then proceeding to 50°47.192' N Latitude and 128°25.862'W Longitude (Cape Scott), then proceeding to 50°39'40?N Latitude and 128°22'00?W Lon- gitude (Winifred Island), then proceeding to 50°47'03?N Latitude and 128°46'04?W Longitude (Beresford Islands), then proceeding to 50°49'02?N Latitude and 128°56'24?W Longitude (Sartine Islands), then proceeding to 50°51'09?N Latitude and 129°05'24?W Lon- gitude (Triangle Island), then proceeding to 51°54'20?N Latitude and 130°58'12?W Longitude (Kerouard Islands), then proceeding to 51°54'38?N Latitude and 130°59'04?W Longitude (Kerouard Islands), then proceeding to 51°55'20?N Latitude and 131°00'17?W Longitude (Kerouard Islands), then proceeding to 51°56'37?N Latitude and 131°01'52?W Longitude (Kunghit Island), then proceeding northerly along the west coast of the islands of Haida Gwaii to 54°14'58?N Latitude and 133°04'48?W Longitude (Langara Island), then proceeding to 54°39'45.16?N Latitude and 132°40'57.18?W Longitude (Point A of Line A-B), then following the international boundary easterly through Pearse Canal and Portland Canal to the point of intersection of the international boundary with the shoreline at the northern end of Portland Canal, as depicted in the map set out in Schedule 5. SCHEDULE 5 (Subsection 189.2(1)) Queen Charlotte Sound, Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada