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Annex B Internal and External Support Agencies

B.1 Internal Support Agencies

Canadian Coast Guard College – Continuing Marine Education Department
The Canadian Coast Guard College supports program preparedness by acting as the coordinator for curriculum development. These courses are offered to Environmental Response personnel as well as other government and industry representatives.
Canadian Coast Guard Operations – Marine Communications and Traffic Services
Marine Communications and Traffic Services provides notification to the Environmental Response Duty Officer of a marine pollution incident (some Regions – see “Canadian Coast Guard Fleet – Regional Operations Centre” below), establish and direct vessels in emergency zones in accordance to directions provided by Pollution Response Officers, disseminate marine information, issue Notice to Shipping and provide vessel information, as necessary.
Canadian Coast Guard Fleet
Fleet will provide support or lead agency services upon request of the Environmental Response Duty Officer, Incident Commander. These services can include: initial spill assessments; verifications and initial response operations; take on-water samples on behalf of the Pollution Response Officer; conduct Incident Commander functions when requested by the Environmental Response program; and provide site safety.
Canadian Coast Guard Fleet – Regional Operations Centre
The Regional Operations Centre may provide notification to the Environmental Response Duty Officer of a marine pollution incident (some Regions – see “Canadian Coast Guard Operations– Marine Communications and Traffic Services” above) and will provide the coordination and allocation of Canadian Coast Guard resources, as requested by the Incident Commander.
Canadian Coast Guard Integrated Technical Services
Integrated Technical Services provides technical support services with respect to the procurement and Life Cycle Management of capital assets, including but not limited to pollution countermeasures equipment and vessels.
Canadian Coast Guard Facilities/Fisheries and Oceans Canada Facilities
Provision of small vessels, base facilities, storage, helicopter pads, boat launch and docking facilities and staging areas.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Corporate Services – Real Property, Safety & Security
Provision of advice regarding site and employee safety and the application of departmental security measures, general health and safety advice, and a Health and Safety Officer as required under the Response Management System (or Incident Command System equivalent) organizational structure.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Information Management and Technical Services – IT Security
Information Technology (IT) Security will provide informatics systems such as computer systems, servers, software and email applications, handheld communication devices such as Blackberries, and the appropriate IT security infrastructure meeting all Fisheries and Oceans Canada IT requirements as required under the Response Management System (or Incident Command System equivalent) organizational structure.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Communications
Communications will process inquiries from media organizations through the application of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Crisis Communications Plan. Communications branch also coordinates all aspects of information being released to ensure the public is getting the most relevant, accurate information as soon as practicable. This sector would fulfill the Communications Officer function in the Response Management System (or Incident Command System equivalent) organizational structure.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Finance
Provide support and resources to the Finance section of the Response Management System. In conjunction with Canadian Coast Guard personnel, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Finance will provide the Fisheries and Oceans Canada financial systems relevant to Canadian Coast Guard operations and providing costing, contractual and accounting services.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Human Resources
Provides administration and support to the Environmental Response program regarding services typically found within the human resources community such as: staffing, labour relations and compensation.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada/Department of Justice – Legal Services
Provision of legal services to the Canadian Coast Guard is the responsibility of the Federal Department of Justice, within Fisheries and Oceans Canada Legal Services in Ottawa. The assistance and advice provided will be in support of the Incident Commander. Legal Counsel will be part of the Command Staff of the Incident Command System organizational structure.
Other Fisheries and Oceans Canada Resources (Habitat, Science, etc.)
As a participant of the Science Table, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will provide scientific and technical advice respecting the location of critical fisheries resources and their habitat, the timing and location of fishing activities, oceanographic information, support in spill tracking and trajectory modeling, general advice in support of clean-up operations and strategies, the impact of pollutants on sensitive resources, monitoring the potential impact of response strategies, and priorities for environmental protection related to the fisheries.
Transport Canada – Marine Safety

Transport Canada, Marine Safety, is responsible for on-board investigation of ship-source pollution occurrences and will provide technical expertise with respect to the ship and the ship’s on-board activities, which can assist in mitigating ship-source spills. In addition, Transport Canada is responsible for the Environmental Prevention and Response National Preparedness Plan and the Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime for safety oversight, pollution prevention, monitoring of compliance with regulations and enforcement action. These responsibilities include:

  • management of the National Aerial Surveillance Program;
  • review vessel and oil handling facility pollution prevention and response plans;
  • assistance with the review of salvage plans;
  • Regime Governance (Regime oversight, National/Regional Advisory Councils, User Committees in accordance with OIC P.C.2003-2090 and P.C. 2004-0322); and
  • certification of Response Organizations and monitoring of their activities and exercises.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada is the federal authority for environmental and scientific advice during a marine pollution incident. Environment and Climate Change Canada normally chairs the Science Table which is responsible for providing consolidated environmental advice during the course of response operations, including weather forecasts and information on the physical operating environment, spill movement and trajectory forecasts, appropriate response strategies, the location of sensitive areas, approving the use of spill treating agents and cleanup techniques.
Health Portfolio, Public Health Agency of Canada/Health Canada
The Federal Health Portfolio (HP) (Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada), share a mandate to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. The HP leads or provides assistance to Government of Canada institutions/departments responding to a request from the province/territory for assistance to an emergency that may impact the health of their populations, including First Nations and Inuit Health.
Canadian Armed Forces – Canadian Joint Operations Command
The Canadian Armed Forces may provide persons, facilities, logistics, naval and airborne support and other resources during a marine pollution incident. The availability of these resources is dependent upon National Defence established priorities and operational requirements.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada can provide advice to the Canadian Coast Guard regarding pollution incidents in the Arctic and on or near Indigenous lands regarding land claims agreements, cultural and other issues. They may participate in the Environmental Emergency Team, provide expertise in specific areas and/or act as a community liaison to Indigenous groups.
Public Safety Canada
Public Safety Canada is responsible for the Federal Emergency Response Plan and can provide support in a large-scale incident that requires additional coordination of federal resources beyond the Canadian Coast Guard’s capability.
Government Operations Centre
The Government Operations Centre (GOC) operates within Public Safety Canada and provides 24/7 monitoring and reporting of events of national interest and provides strategic level coordination on behalf of the Government of Canada in response to an emerging or occurring event affecting the national interest. The GOC is also the main contact point for the Canadian Coast Guard in accordance with the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic.
National Energy Board
The National Energy Board (NEB or Board) is the lead agency for spills that occur at offshore and nearshore oil and gas exploration and production facilities on frontier lands. It is an independent federal agency that reports to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada and regulates international and interprovincial aspects of the oil, gas and electric utility industries. They may be included as part of the Science Table for expertise in this field.
Global Affairs Canada, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Canadian Coast Guard headquarters will work with this department to provide assistance to contracting states to the International Convention, Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, Convention (1990) and to request assistance from other countries in accordance with the procedures stipulated in section 5.4 International Cooperation in Pollution Response of the National Contingency Chapter.

B.2 External Support Agencies

Provincial and Territorial Governments
Provincial and territorial governments, through their various agencies and departments, have legislative mandates and expertise that can contribute to the overall response and should be included in Regional Plans as required.
Municipal Governments, Agencies, or Boards
The first responders to a spill in any community are typically the local fire department or public works. Municipal governments can provide valuable local knowledge on what sensitivities are important to local community they represent and what resources are available to assist in a response. The Canadian Coast Guard will work closely with these groups to ensure an appropriate response.
Indigenous Groups
Indigenous Groups may provide people, knowledge and equipment, and can identify resources at risk during the response to marine pollution incidents on or from their lands and indigenous traditional territories. They should be included in area plan development as required.
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board has the lead agency responsibility for pollution response with respect to incidents related to offshore Newfoundland petroleum exploration or production installations. In the event of such an incident, the Canadian Coast Guard may provide assistance in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and the Canadian Coast Guard (PDF, 437 KB) as a resource agency.
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board has the lead agency responsibility for pollution response with respect to incidents related to offshore Nova Scotia petroleum exploration or production installations. In the event of such an incident, the Canadian Coast Guard may provide assistance in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and the Canadian Coast Guard (PDF, 308 KB) as a resource agency.
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