Regional Advisory Council (RAC) on Oil Spill Response
Overview
The Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), are established under Part 8 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. (CSA)
These councils are regional committees in which the parties involved in and/or impacted by marine oil spills and the oil spill response regime can meet, identify, discuss and realize opportunities.
The RACs are advisory bodies and are able to make recommendations on the full range of policy issues affecting regional preparedness and response, and may request information from Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard or response organizations on equipment placement, plans, resources, costs, training, exercises, or reviews undertaken of response operations, in pursuit of their mandate to advise and report on the adequacy of preparedness in the region. Their mandate is significant, and through their unusual ability to report to the Minister or Standing Committee, they have the power to make their voices heard.
The primary objective of the RACs on Oil Spill Response is to share and address issues of mutual concern to the membership. The RACs serve as an advisory body to the Minister of Transport and shall advise and may make recommendations related to marine oil spill preparedness in accordance with Part 8 of the CSA.
The role and mandate of the RACs are:
Six RACs serve the geographical areas of: