Canada's Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez, announced that the value of monetary penalties for violations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 has been increased from a maximum of $25,000 to a new maximum of $250,000.

The revised penalties are structured into three levels: minor, medium, and serious and reflect the seriousness of the violation. Minor violations are administrative in nature and pose no threat to public safety or the environment; medium violations apply to situations when regulations around pollution response are not followed, but may not pose a large threat to people or the environment; and serious violations are those that endanger human health or the environment, or involve destroying documents or obstruction of authority.

The previous maximum of $25,000 per violation was set in 2008. The new maximum penalty amount is the result of approved legislative amendments to the Administrative Monetary Penalties and Notices (CSA 2001) Regulations. This new maximum reflects the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to strengthen Canada's marine safety system by deterring lawbreakers.

 

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