SUMMARY

This enactment amends Part IX of the Canada Shipping Act by implementing the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 and its 1996 Protocol. It also amends Part XVI of that Act by implementing the Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971. It also makes certain amendments related to the Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund.

These amendments, by substantially increasing the shipowners' limits of liability, considerably increase the amount of compensation available to private and public claimants, for maritime claims in general, and for oil pollution damage in particular. They also harmonize Canadian maritime liability legislation with that of other major maritime nations.