To protect Canada's aquatic environment, oil spills and pollution with other contaminants must be reported to the Canadian Coast Guard as soon as possible.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 15 minutes
Here's How:
- If you pollute the water with oil or other contaminants, or if you see someone else polluting, report it to the Coast Guard immediately.
- In areas with Coast Guard communications services, use Channel 16, VHF Marine radio.
- To report an oil spill by phone, call in the Yukon and BC: 1-800-889-8852; in Quebec: 1-800-363-4735; in the Maritimes: 1-800-565-1582; in Newfoundland: 1-800-563-2444; and in all other provinces: 1-800-265-0237.
- Explain where and when the incident happened.
- Explain how the pollution happened.
- Tell the Coast Guard what kind of pollution it is.
- Describe how much pollution there is.
- Give the name of the person or vessel that caused the pollution.
Tips:
- The Coast Guard will investigate, and may initiate clean-up action.
- Polluters are required to pay for the costs of clean-up. They may also be subject to fines and penalties.
