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Oil Spill Regional Advisory Councils (OSRAC)

In 1995, under the terms of the Canada Shipping Act (CSA), six Oil Spill Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) were created. These councils represent each of the following regions: the Pacific, the Prairie Provinces and the Arctic, the Great Lakes, the Quebec Region (which covers the St. Lawrence River), the Maritimes and Newfoundland. The members, designated by the minister, represent a vast range of industry and public interests.

In accordance with the current plan, the RAC can issue recommendations intended for the Minister of Transportation and the Standing Committee on Transport, regarding strategic subjects that involve preparation and intervention in the regions. They can request information from Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment Canada, intervention organizations and oil handling facilities as well as from the maritime industry regarding the location of equipment, intervention plans, resources, costs, training, exercises or assessments related to interventions conducted.

Since their creation, RACs have played an important role in the cyclical review of the prevention and intervention plan in case of oil spills in the marine environment. They are also consulted by Transport Canada regarding the development of modifications to the CSA as well as the regulation.

In the scope of a renewed plan, the RACS play an even more important role to ensure responder accountability and public information.

Six RACs currently exist in Canada. They are supported by Transport Canada, Marine safety, in accordance with the CSA. These councils' mandates are to develop recommendations regarding the state of preparedness of the regions, but not to issue guidelines. In accordance with the modifications brought to the CSA in 2001, the councils are more representative of communities and interests that are at risk of being affected by an oil spill. In an effort to pool regional initiatives and to determine national issues, Transport Canada, Marine safety created an Oil Spill National Advisory Council (NAC), in 2006. This entity is composed of a representative from each RAC.

OSRAC Coordinator 
Transport Canada, Marine Safety 
401-1550 D’Estimauville Avenue
Quebec City, Quebec
G1J 0C8

Telephone: 418-648-3812
Fax: 418-648-3790

Date modified:

2012-02-08

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