Energy Safety and Security Act (S.C. 2015, c. 4)
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Assented to 2015-02-26
PART 1MODERNIZING CANADA’S OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS REGIME
1988, c. 28Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act
83. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 122:
Marginal note:Notice — subsection 122(11)
122.1 (1) If the Board intends to disclose any information or documentation under subsection 122(11), the Board shall make every reasonable effort to give the person who provided it written notice of the Board’s intention to disclose it.
Marginal note:Waiver of notice
(2) Any person to whom a notice is required to be given under subsection (1) may waive the requirement, and if they have consented to the disclosure they are deemed to have waived the requirement.
Marginal note:Contents of notice
(3) A notice given under subsection (1) shall include
(a) a statement that the Board intends to disclose information or documentation under subsection 122(11);
(b) a description of the information or documentation that was provided by the person to whom the notice is given; and
(c) a statement that the person may, within 20 days after the day on which the notice is given, make written representations to the Board as to why the information or documentation, or a portion of it, should not be disclosed.
Marginal note:Representations
(4) If a notice is given to a person by the Board under subsection (1), the Board shall
(a) give the person the opportunity to make, within 20 days after the day on which the notice is given, written representations to the Board as to why the information or documentation, or a portion of it, should not be disclosed; and
(b) after the person has had the opportunity to make representations, but no later than 30 days after the day on which the notice is given, make a decision as to whether or not to disclose the information or documentation and give written notice of the decision to the person.
Marginal note:Contents of notice of decision to disclose
(5) A notice given under paragraph (4)(b) of a decision to disclose information or documentation shall include
(a) a statement that the person to whom the notice is given may request a review of the decision under subsection (7) within 20 days after the day on which the notice is given; and
(b) a statement that if no review is requested under subsection (7) within 20 days after the day on which the notice is given, the Board shall disclose the information or documentation.
Marginal note:Disclosure of information or documentation
(6) If, under paragraph (4)(b), the Board decides to disclose the information or documentation, the Board shall disclose it on the expiry of 20 days after a notice is given under that paragraph, unless a review of the decision is requested under subsection (7).
Marginal note:Review
(7) Any person to whom the Board is required under paragraph (4)(b) to give a notice of a decision to disclose information or documentation may, within 20 days after the day on which the notice is given, apply to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for a review of the decision.
Marginal note:Hearing in summary way
(8) An application made under subsection (7) shall be heard and determined in a summary way in accordance with any applicable rules of practice and procedure of that Court.
Marginal note:Court to take precautions against disclosing
(9) In any proceedings arising from an application under subsection (7), the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia shall take every reasonable precaution, including, when appropriate, conducting hearings in camera, to avoid the disclosure by the Court or any person of any information or documentation that, under this Act, is privileged or is not to be disclosed.
84. Section 138.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph (b):
(b.1) accountability in accordance with the “polluter pays” principle;
Marginal note:1992, c. 35, s. 95
85. Section 141.1 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Marginal note:Delegation
141.1 The Board may delegate any of the Board’s powers under section 142, 142.2, 142.3, 143.1, 143.2, 167.1 or 168 to any person, and the person shall exercise those powers in accordance with the terms of the delegation.
Marginal note:1992, c. 35, s. 96
86. (1) Subsection 142(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Marginal note:Requirements for operating licence
(3) An operating licence is subject to any requirements that are determined by the Board or that are prescribed and to any deposits that are prescribed.
Marginal note:1992, c. 35, s. 96
(2) Paragraph 142(5)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(a) a requirement, approval or deposit subject to which the licence or authorization was issued;
(a.1) a fee or charge payable in accordance with regulations made under section 30.1;
Marginal note:1992, c. 35, s. 96
(3) Paragraph 142(5)(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(c) subsection 143.1(3), 143.2(2), 167.1(4) or (5) or 168(1.1), (1.2) or (5); or
87. The Act is amended by adding the following before section 142.1:
Marginal note:Environmental assessment
142.02 (1) If an application for an authorization under paragraph 142(1)(b) or an application made under subsection 143(2) is in respect of a physical activity described in subsection (2), the Board shall issue the decision statement referred to in section 54 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 in respect of the physical activity within 12 months after the day on which the applicant has, in the Board’s opinion, provided a complete application.
Marginal note:Physical activity
(2) The physical activity in question is a physical activity that:
(a) is carried out in the offshore area;
(b) is designated by regulations made under paragraph 84(a) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 or in an order made under subsection 14(2) of that Act;
(c) is one for which the Board is the responsible authority as defined in subsection 2(1) of that Act; and
(d) is one in relation to which an environmental assessment was not referred to a review panel under section 38 of that Act.
It includes any physical activity that is incidental to the physical activity described in paragraphs (a) to (d).
Marginal note:Excluded period
(3) If the Board requires the applicant to provide information or undertake a study with respect to the physical activity, the period that is taken by the applicant, in the Board’s opinion, to comply with the requirement is not included in the calculation of the period referred to in subsection (1).
Marginal note:Public notice
(4) The Board shall, without delay, make public
(a) the date on which the 12-month period referred to in subsection (1) begins; and
(b) the dates on which the period referred to in subsection (3) begins and ends.
Marginal note:Participant funding program
142.03 The Board may establish a participant funding program to facilitate the participation of the public in the environmental assessment as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 of any physical activity described in subsection 142.02(2) that meets the condition set out in paragraph 58(1)(a) of that Act and that is the subject of an application for an authorization under paragraph 142(1)(b) or an application made under subsection 143(2).
88. (1) The Act is amended by adding the following after section 142.2:
Spill-treating Agent
Marginal note:Net environmental benefit
142.21 The Board shall not permit the use of a spill-treating agent in an authorization issued under paragraph 142(1)(b) unless the Board determines that the use of the spill-treating agent is likely to achieve a net environmental benefit.
(2) Section 142.21 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Marginal note:Net environmental benefit
142.21 The Board shall not permit the use of a spill-treating agent in an authorization issued under paragraph 142(1)(b) unless the Board determines, taking into account any prescribed factors and any factors the Board considers appropriate, that the use of the spill-treating agent is likely to achieve a net environmental benefit.
Marginal note:1992, c. 35, s. 96
89. Section 142.3 of the Act and the heading before it are replaced by the following:
Financial Requirements
Marginal note:Compliance with certain provisions
142.3 The Board shall, before issuing an authorization for a work or activity referred to in paragraph 142(1)(b), ensure that the applicant has complied with the requirements of subsections 167.1(1) or (2) and 168(1) or (1.01) in respect of that work or activity.
Marginal note:1992, c. 35, s. 101
90. (1) The portion of subsection 153(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
Marginal note:Governor in Council’s regulatory power
153. (1) Subject to section 6, the Governor in Council may, for the purposes of safety, the protection of the environment, and accountability as well as for the production and conservation of petroleum resources, make regulations
(2) Subsection 153(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph (b):
(b.1) concerning the measures to be taken in preparation for or in the case of a spill, as defined in subsection 165(1), including measures concerning the use of a spill-treating agent;
(b.2) concerning the process for the determination of net environmental benefit;
(b.3) concerning the variation or revocation of an approval referred to in paragraph 166.1(1)(b);
(3) Subsection 153(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (h) and by adding the following after that paragraph:
(h.1) establishing the requirements for a pooled fund for the purposes of subsection 168(1.01);
(h.2) concerning the circumstances under which the Board may make a recommendation for the purposes of subsection 168.1(1) and the information to be submitted with respect to that recommendation;
(h.3) concerning the creation, conservation and production of records; and
(4) Section 153 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):
Marginal note:Spill-treating agents
(3) Regulations made under subsection (1) respecting a spill-treating agent shall, in addition to the requirements set out in section 6, be made on the recommendation of the Federal Minister and the Minister of the Environment.
91. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 153:
Marginal note:Amendment to Schedule V or VI
153.1 (1) The Governor in Council may, by order, amend Schedule V or VI to add, amend or remove a reference to a federal Act or regulation, or to a provision of a federal Act or regulation.
Marginal note:Recommendation
(2) The order shall be made on the recommendation of the Federal Minister and every minister responsible for the administration of the provision.
92. Subsection 156(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Marginal note:Guidelines and interpretation notes
156. (1) The Board may issue and publish, in any manner the Board considers appropriate, guidelines and interpretation notes with respect to the application and administration of sections 45, 142 and 143 and subsection 168(1.01) and any regulations made under sections 30.1 and 153.
Marginal note:1992, c. 35, s. 110(1); 2001, c. 26, s. 324(9)
93. Subsections 165(1) to (3) of the Act are replaced by the following:
Definition of “spill”
165. (1) In sections 166 to 170, “spill” means a discharge, emission or escape of petroleum, other than one that is authorized under subsection 166.5(1), the regulations or any other federal law. It does not include a discharge from a vessel to which Part 8 or 9 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 applies or from a ship to which Part 6 of the Marine Liability Act applies.
Definition of “actual loss or damage”
(2) In section 167, “actual loss or damage” includes loss of income, including future income, and, with respect to any Aboriginal peoples of Canada, loss of hunting, fishing and gathering opportunities. It does not include loss of income recoverable under subsection 42(3) of the Fisheries Act.
Definition of “debris”
(3) In sections 167 to 168 and 170, “debris” means any installation or structure that was put in place in the course of any work or activity required to be authorized under paragraph 142(1)(b) and that has been abandoned without an authorization that may be required by or under this Part, or any material that has broken away or been jettisoned or displaced in the course of any of that work or activity.
94. (1) The Act is amended by adding the following after section 166:
Marginal note:Spill-treating agents
166.1 (1) The provisions referred to in Schedule V do not apply to the deposit of a spill-treating agent and those referred to in Schedule VI do not apply in respect of any harm that is caused by the spill-treating agent or by the interaction between the spill-treating agent and the spilled oil, if
(a) the authorization issued under paragraph 142(1)(b) permits the use of the spill-treating agent;
(b) the Chief Conservation Officer approves the use of the agent in response to the spill and it is used in accordance with any requirements set out in the approval; and
(c) the agent is used for the purposes of subsection 166(3) or (4).
Marginal note:Clarification
(2) The provisions referred to in Schedule VI continue to apply to the holder of an authorization referred to in paragraph (1)(a) in respect of any harm that is caused by the spill or, despite subsection (1), by the interaction between the spill-treating agent and the spilled oil.
Marginal note:Net environmental benefit
(3) Other than in the case of a small-scale test, the approval required under paragraph (1)(b) shall be in writing and shall not be granted unless
(a) the Chief Conservation Officer has consulted with the Federal Minister and the Provincial Minister with respect to the approval;
(b) the Federal Minister has consulted with the Minister of the Environment with respect to the approval; and
(c) the Chief Conservation Officer determines that the use of the agent is likely to achieve a net environmental benefit.
(2) Paragraph 166.1(1)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(b) other than in the case of a small-scale test that meets the prescribed requirements, the Chief Conservation Officer approves in writing the use of the agent in response to the spill and it is used in accordance with any requirements set out in the approval;
(3) Subsection 166.1(1) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (b), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after paragraph (c):
(d) the agent is used in accordance with the regulations.
(4) Subsection 166.1(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Marginal note:Net environmental benefit
(3) Other than in the case of a small-scale test, the Chief Conservation Officer shall not approve the use of a spill-treating agent unless the Officer determines, taking into account any prescribed factors and any factors the Officer considers appropriate, that the use of the spill-treating agent is likely to achieve a net environmental benefit.
95. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 166.1:
Marginal note:Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
166.2 Section 123 and subsections 124(1) to (3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 do not apply in respect of a spill-treating agent.
Marginal note:Fisheries Act — civil liability
166.3 For the purpose of section 42 of the Fisheries Act, if subsection 36(3) of that Act would have been contravened but for subsection 166.1(1),
(a) subsection 36(3) of that Act is deemed to apply in respect of the deposit of the spill-treating agent;
(b) the holder of the authorization referred to in paragraph 166.1(1)(a) is deemed to be the only person referred to in paragraph 42(1)(a) of that Act; and
(c) those persons who caused or contributed to the spill are deemed to be the only persons referred to in paragraph 42(1)(b) of that Act.
Marginal note:Notice
166.4 The Federal Minister shall, as soon as possible after it is made, notify the Provincial Minister and the Board of the making of the list of spill-treating agents and any amendment to that list.
Marginal note:Scientific research
166.5 (1) For the purpose of a particular research project pertaining to the use of a spill-treating agent in mitigating the environmental impacts of a spill, the Minister of the Environment may authorize, and establish conditions for, the deposit of a spill-treating agent, oil or oil surrogate if the Federal Minister has obtained the Provincial Minister’s approval.
Marginal note:Oil surrogate
(2) The Minister of the Environment shall not authorize the deposit of an oil surrogate unless that Minister determines that the oil surrogate poses fewer safety, health or environmental risks than oil.
Marginal note:Non-application
(3) If the conditions set out in the authorization are met, the provisions referred to in section 166.2 and Schedules V and VI do not apply in respect of the spill-treating agent, oil and oil surrogate required for the research project.
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