The Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act (Bill C-33) aims to improve the safety and security of Canada's transportation networks. It makes changes to several existing laws, including the Customs Act, the Railway Safety Act, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, the Marine Transportation Security Act, the Canada Transportation Act, and the Canada Marine Act. It also makes a change to the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Act.
The bill amends the Customs Act to allow officers to ask for imported goods to be made available for examination in secure areas. It updates the Railway Safety Act to include security as part of safety considerations. It also allows the Minister to order companies to fix security issues and to grant or deny transportation security clearances. It also prohibits interference with railways and dangerous behaviour towards railway employees.
The bill also updates the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, by requiring people who import, handle, or transport dangerous goods to register with the Minister and manage safety risks. The Marine Transportation Security Act is updated to allow the Minister to make agreements for enforcing the Act, create vessel exclusion zones, and give emergency directions. The Canada Transportation Act is updated to allow the Minister to use electronic systems for decisions and to lower the threshold for reporting port transactions.
Finally, the Canada Marine Act is updated to give port authorities more responsibility for traffic management. It also gives the Minister power to take action to prevent harm to national security or competition. Port authorities will also be required to create advisory committees with Indigenous representatives, assess their governance, and create climate change plans.
Climate
The bill requires port authorities to create plans and reports related to climate change, including greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, climate change adaptation actions, and annual emissions inventories. These plans must be developed following international standards. Regulations may be introduced to establish emission reduction targets.
Environmental Protection
The bill aims to protect the marine environment by managing traffic in ports, including mooring and anchorage. It allows for regulations prohibiting raw sewage deposit in waters under a port authority's control. The purpose of the bill is to promote the security of marine transportation — including the security of the marine ecosystem, and the well-being of coastal communities.
Energy
The bill includes potential regulations regarding thermal coal. The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the prohibition of the loading and unloading of thermal coal to and from ships in a port and the regulations must prohibit this no later than December 31, 2030.
Crime
The bill aims to improve public safety and security in the railway and marine transportation sectors. It strengthens measures to prevent interference with railway operations, unruly behavior, and security threats. It also introduces new offenses and increases penalties for violations of transportation safety and security regulations.