New monetary penalty ranges added for vessel traffic services and Canada Shipping Act provisions

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

Three provisions of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (paragraphs 126(1)(a), 126(1)(b), and subsection 129(2)) have been added to the penalty schedule, each carrying fines of $260 to $10,000. A new Part 18 has also been added to the penalty schedule covering violations of the Vessel Traffic Services Zones Regulations, with 24 specific provisions now subject to penalties ranging from $260 to $10,000. These changes bring these provisions into the administrative monetary penalty framework, meaning Transport Canada can issue financial penalties directly rather than pursuing court action. Vessel operators, vessel traffic service participants, and others subject to the Vessel Traffic Services Zones Regulations should be aware that breaches of those rules now carry explicit monetary penalty ranges. A separate amendment to the Environmental Response Regulations penalty provisions is listed but not yet in force.

Who this affects: vessel operators · vessel traffic service participants · marine industry compliance officers · shipping companies operating in Canadian waters