Question Period Note: Canadian Coast Guard Environmental Response - The Canadian Coast Guard’s response to the mystery spill in Sept-Îles, Quebec.

The Canadian Coast Guard’s response to the mystery spill in Sept-Îles, Quebec.

• The safety of mariners and the protection of the marine environment are the top priorities for the Canadian Coast Guard (Coast Guard).
• On March 28, the Coast Guard received a report of marine pollution in the water near the port of Sept-Îles, Quebec and took immediate action.
• Coast Guard Environmental Response personnel, in collaboration with a contractor are responding to the spill to contain and remove the pollution from the marine environment.
• The Coast Guard is working expeditiously to address the threat of pollution from this mystery spill and ensure an appropriate response to this incident including: on-water containment and collection of fuel and shoreline assessments.

• The Coast Guard is responsible for ship-source spills, mystery-source spills, and spills at oil handling facilities during loading and unloading of vessels.
• In the event that the polluter is unknown, unwilling, or unable to respond to their pollution event, the Coast Guard will ensure an appropriate response is achieved by contracting resources or responding themselves.
• Pursuant to the Marine Liability Act, the polluter is liable for all costs related to response and pollution damage, including the Coast Guard’s response costs.
• On March 28, 2023, the Coast Guard received a report of marine pollution in the water near the fishing harbour at the port of Sept-Îles, Quebec and took immediate action.
• The pollution appears to be a hydrocarbon fuel and the quantity of pollution in the water is estimated to be less that 115 litres.
• Coast Guard has hired local contractor Bouchard et Blanchette Marine Ltée to respond to the spill with containment boom.
• Daily meetings have been held to inform the partners and the local Indigenous communities in the area of the latest developments, the next steps and to answer their questions and concerns.
• On March 29, 2023 a significant volume of the pollution in the water had evaporated, however some pollution remains visible.
• Coast Guard has deployed an aerial drone to monitor the pollution in the affected area and has Canadian Coast Guard Ship AMUNDSEN to support operations.
• Coast Guard Environmental Response personnel have been deployed to the spill and are trying to determine the source of the pollution. The source has not been formally identified, however potential land sources have been ruled out.
• On March 30, 2023, reports from the incident indicate that the pollution continues to evaporate and natural dispersion of the pollution is occurring, aided by the weather.

If pressed on the oil spill at the port of Sept-Îles
• It is not known at this time what caused the pollution incident or who is responsible.
• The type of pollution appears to be a hydro carbon fuel. The volume of pollution is estimated to be less than 115 litres.
• Communication with local Indigenous communities, the municipality, industry and response partners regarding the spill is ongoing.