Atlantic Senior Advisory Committee on Environmental Emergencies in Atlantic Canada
We participate on the Atlantic Senior Advisory Committee on Environmental Emergencies in Atlantic Canada, which is chaired by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The committee is comprised of senior level representatives of federal and provincial departments/agencies and Aboriginal governments throughout Atlantic Canada. Its mandate includes information sharing and networking among federal, provincial, and Aboriginal government departments and agencies in Atlantic Canada who play a role in managing environmental emergencies.
Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Training and Qualifications Committee
We take part in the Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Training and Qualifications Committee, which is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder committee that supports and oversees the development of an offshore Atlantic Canada training standard that outlines the minimum qualifications and certified training required of individuals working in Atlantic Canada’s offshore petroleum industry.
Helicopter Operations Safety Committee
We participate on a Helicopter Operations Safety Committee. The Helicopter Operations Safety Committee is a collaborative committee made up of representatives from offshore Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador operators, offshore workers, helicopter service providers, and regulatory authorities. The main focus of this committee is enhancing helicopter transportation safety.
Canadian General Standards Board 65.17 Helicopter Passenger Transportation Suit System Technical Committee
As a participant on the Canadian General Standards Board 65.17 Helicopter Passenger Transportation Suit System Technical Committee, we review and help determine whether there are any significant revisions required to the standard as part of the five (5) year review cycle.
Helicopter Long Duration Flights and Associated Human Factors Sub-Committee
We are a part of a workgroup with Transport Canada, and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, that aims to reduce discomfort and health risk during offshore worker helicopter flights while maintaining overall safety. The purpose of the sub-committee is to provide all parties with information to make informed decisions, technical and regulatory recommendations, and procedural guidance.
Canadian Marine Advisory Council
We participate on the Canadian Marine Advisory Council with other organizations that have an interest in shipping, navigation and marine pollution matters. The Canadian Marine Advisory Council performs stakeholder engagement in the development of marine safety and environmental protection regulatory frameworks, and is led by representatives of Transport Canada Marine Safety.
For more information, visit the Canadian Marine Advisory Council website here.
Canadian Standards Association Committees and Sub-Committees
Our staff participate on different Canadian Standards Association Committees and Sub-Committees to develop standards, connect with other experts, build experience with technical issues/opportunities in their fields, and provide input to help make the standards better. Some of the Canadian Standards Association Committees and Sub-Committees our staff participate on include:
- Technical Committee K157 Series of Offshore Structures Standards - review and update the K157 suite of standards including ISO 19900 and CSA S470 related to the design, construction, and installation of offshore structures
- Technical Committee Z275 Series of Diving Standards - review and update the CSA Z275 series of diving safety standards (diving operations, diver certification and diver training)
- Technical Committee Z1210 Workplace First Aid Standards - develop and revise the standard on workplace first aid training, including workplace supplies and service requirements, competency requirements, and providing best practices to assist users with the delivery and evaluation of workplace first aid programs
- Technical Sub-Committee Z1220 Workplace First Aid Kits - develop and revise the standard on workplace first aid kits, including the minimum performance requirements and required supplies and contents available in workplace first aid kit containers
Energy and Utilities Security Network (EUSN)
We participate in the Energy and Utilities Security Network to exchange security intelligence relevant to the energy sector. This national forum promotes the exchange of information and best practices among key energy stakeholders on critical infrastructure security.
Energy Infrastructure Protection Division
Together with Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, our representatives attend highly confidential meetings held by the Energy Infrastructure Protection Division. We attend these meetings to exchange security-related information between public and private sectors. We also attend the meetings to be kept up-to-date on the Government of Canada’s policies and initiatives regarding security critical energy infrastructure and to share information on issues of mutual interest and best practices.
Environmental Studies Research Fund
Our representative sits on a 12 member management board for the Environmental Studies Research Fund, which also includes representatives from the federal government, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, the oil and gas industry and the public. The purpose of the Environmental Studies Research Fund is to finance environmental and social studies related to how oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on frontier and offshore areas should be conducted.
Inter-Governmental Tenure Committee
We meet regularly with the Inter-Governmental Tenure Committee to share knowledge and gain an understanding of different tenure regimes and business systems in Canada. The committee membership is made up of provincial, territorial and federal bodies who are responsible for regulating and managing non-renewable resource development (e.g., minerals, hydrocarbons, gases). The Inter-Governmental Tenure Committee promotes the understanding of various jurisdictions’ policies and regulatory frameworks, including potential changes and how they are achieving intended outcomes. Members benefit from the ongoing network of peers who can exchange information about the overall administration of a non-renewable resource tenure system.
Multi-Partner Research Initiative - Oil Spill Research and Response
A member of our team was appointed by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to join the Multi-Partner Research Initiative Advisory Committee. The initiative, led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provide $45.5 million over five years to draw upon the expertise and experience of oil spill experts in Canada and abroad. The initiative supports collaboration among leading national and international experts on oil spill research and response to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities, improve our understanding of how oil spills behave in water and their impacts on fish and other aquatic organisms, develop new technologies and protocols to select the best methodologies for oil spill clean-up and support science-based decisions that will aim to minimize the environmental impacts of oil spills and enhance habitat recovery.
For more information, visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s website here.
Program of Energy Research and Development
We participate on a number of advisory committees for the Program of Energy Research and Development. This is a federal, interdepartmental program operated by Natural Resources Canada. The program funds research and development designed to ensure a sustainable energy future for Canada, in the best interests of both our economy and our environment. It directly supports energy research and development conducted in Canada by the federal and provincial governments, and is concerned with all aspects of energy supply and use.
For more information, visit Natural Resources Canada’s website here.
Regional Oceans Coordination Table
We participate on the Regional Oceans Coordination Table for the Maritime Provinces, which is a forum chaired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and has members from federal and provincial government departments. The forum provides oversight, coordination and strategic direction to oceans and coastal management processes in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Members of the Regional Oceans Coordination Table meet regularly to foster information sharing, capacity building and priority setting for oceans and coastal management activities.
Technical Working Group - Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Industry Safe Lifting Practices
We participate in a technical working group to maintain the Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Industry Safe Lifting Practice respecting the design, operation and maintenance of materials handling equipment. The ongoing maintenance of this document is a joint effort among the offshore industry operators, drilling contractors, certifying authorities, and regulatory authorities. The focus of this document is to describe industry best practices related to lifting equipment and safe lifting operations on marine installations and structures operating in the Atlantic Canada offshore petroleum area.
Well Operations Committee
We are a part of the Well Operations Committee, which is made up of a group of drilling/well operations representatives from all of the offshore operators working in both the Canada-Nova Scotia and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore areas. The committee discusses current areas of interest that includes regulatory updates, safety or incident alerts and other key areas of focus.
