Canadian Coast Guard Marine
Services Fees Information Bulletin

Number Thirteen
October 1, 1998

This bulletin is provided to inform the greater marine community on developments affecting the Canadian Coast Guard's Marine Services Fee (MSF) initiative. It is our intention that the bulletin will be issued as progress and developments warrant. Additions (or deletions) to the mailing list are invited.

Expected changes to Coast Guard's Marine Navigation Services Fees (MNSF) take effect October 1, 1998.

A public consultation package outlining the details of changes to the MSF was circulated with Information Sheet, Number Eleven, on June 12, 1998. Coast Guard then held meetings with interested stakeholders over an eight-week period to address questions and concerns. Issue Number Twelve provided readers with clarifications on a number of issues.

As a result of a number of the issues raised at these meetings, some modifications have been made to the MNSF taking effect today.

A formal document addressing the comments and concerns expressed by stakeholders is attached as An Assessment of Comments from Public Consultations.

The Marine Navigation Services rates identified in the attached document remain in effect for the next three years. Based on recent traffic volumes, these rates are expected to generate annual revenues of $26.7 million, or 30.8% of the costs of providing these services to commercial ships by Coast Guard.

Copies of the revised fee schedule and assessment are now available on Coast Guard's website, at the address below. For those without internet access, copies can be obtained by calling Coast Guard at the telephone numbers below. The schedule will also be published in Part I of the Canada Gazette by November 1, 1998.

Information Sheet Number Twelve also reported an extension to the discussion period on the Icebreaking Services Fee (ISF) until the end of October. While both marine navigation and icebreaking services fees were to have been addressed in the recently concluded public consultations, talks on the icebreaking fee have been extended with stakeholders, in an effort to address outstanding issues on this initiative, before it takes effect in December.

Comments on the ISF will be carefully evaluated in the development of a final fee proposal for icebreaking services.