Finance committee  Yes, but even during the studies, we were consulting our marine industry operators, the vessel operators, who support offshore activities, and in both studies, it became very clear that the application of the Coasting Trade Act was particularly problematic for seismic activities.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  No, the Coastal Trade Act is administered solely by Transport Canada. They are aware of the proposed amendment. At present, you are part of the review.

Finance committee  No.

Finance committee  There are none.

Finance committee  Well, what the Coasting Trade Act does, as I said, is reserve it to Canadian-registered vessels. There is currently in the Coasting Trade Act an administrative process to allow for the temporary importation of foreign vessels. So you have to be a Canadian resident or natural person to import these vessels.

Finance committee  The seismic programs that are going to be part of those regulated by offshore boards and the NEB will still have to comply with all the regulations and standards they have to today. The exemption does not remove this requirement. Those who would conduct seismic activities that are not regulated by offshore boards—in other words, that are only speculative in nature—will continue to be regulated by the Oceans Act.

Finance committee  No, we have not.

Finance committee  On the environmental side, as I said, existing regulations will not change. In addition, there are other regulatory requirements to mitigate the environmental impacts of seismic sound waves. The Statement of Canadian Practice with respect to the Mitigation of Seismic Sound in the Marine Environment will continue to apply and to mitigate any environmental impact of seismic activity.

Finance committee  Offshore producing companies already hire seismic vessels to conduct seismic activities, both within our coastal waters and the continental shelf. This amendment is for the continental shelf only. Traditionally, it has been extremely difficult for them to import the vessels they require for the offshore portion, because the environment is much harsher and more difficult to operate in.

Finance committee  Thank you. I'm Louise Laflamme, working in the marine policy group at Transport Canada. I'm here to talk to you about division 38, clause 531. First, the Coasting Trade Act reserves Canada's coasting trade for Canadian vessels. Coasting trade includes the transportation of goods and passengers between points in Canada and any marine activity of a commercial nature.