Pilotage changes, turtle habitat, insurance licence

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published several government notices on marine pilotage, species-at-risk habitat, an insurance licence, and a consultation about an emergency order. Key practical effects include new or clarified compulsory pilotage rules in parts of British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, formal recognition of critical habitat for two endangered turtles on some federal wildlife areas, permission for Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. to write insurance in Canada, and a call for public input on an emergency order for the Western Chorus Frog.

What it does#

• Pilotage changes (Department of Transport / Pilotage Act):

  • Extends the compulsory pilotage area called Area 2 in the Pacific Pilotage Authority region and specifies that only laden crude oil tankers of 40,000 summer deadweight tonnes or more must take a pilot there.
  • Requires ships giving advance notice to state the nature of cargo.
  • Creates a Belledune compulsory pilotage area defined as all navigable waters within 2 nautical miles of the breakwater light, and allows applicants for a Belledune pilotage certificate to substitute a familiarization program completed within 2 years for extra sea-time experience.
  • Creates a Sheet Harbour compulsory pilotage area, limits compulsory pilotage there to ships 170 m or more in length, tankers and LNG carriers, and lets the Atlantic Pilotage Authority require pilotage for other ships if they pose a safety risk. It also allows a familiarization program to substitute for extra sea-time experience.

• Species-at-risk habitat notices (Environment and Climate Change Canada / Species at Risk Act):

  • Identifies critical habitat for the Blanding’s Turtle (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population) and the Spiny Softshell on federally owned land inside a list of named National Wildlife Areas and Bird Sanctuaries.
  • Says protection under subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act will apply 90 days after this publication. The notices invite contact for clarification but say some details may be withheld to protect the species.

• Insurance licence (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions / Insurance Companies Act):

  • Authorizes Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. (also named in French) to insure risks in Canada, effective April 28, 2025, in classes including aircraft, automobile, boiler and machinery, fidelity, liability, marine, property and surety insurance.

• Consultation on an emergency order (Environment and Climate Change Canada):

  • Announces an evaluation of the ongoing need for the emergency order protecting the Western Chorus Frog in the municipalities of La Prairie, Candiac, and Saint-Philippe after recent zoning changes.
  • Opens a public comment period of 90 days, ending September 12, 2025, to collect information on threats, mitigation measures, and relevant data.

Who's affected#

• Marine industry and ports:

  • Owners and operators of crude oil tankers, tankers, LNG carriers, and large ships (e.g., ships 170 m or longer).
  • Harbour authorities, ship pilots, and the Pacific Pilotage Authority and Atlantic Pilotage Authority.

• Conservation and land management:

  • Staff and users of the listed National Wildlife Areas and Bird Sanctuaries.
  • Local land managers, developers, and communities near those federal protected areas where turtle critical habitat is identified.

• Insurance market:

  • Competitors, brokers, and clients who might be offered new coverage by Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd.

• Local residents and stakeholders in Quebec:

  • Property owners, developers, conservation groups, and municipal authorities in La Prairie, Candiac, and Saint-Philippe who may be affected if the emergency order is changed or lifted.

Why it matters#

• Safety and spill risk: Changing which ships must take local pilots affects who must use local navigation expertise in potentially tricky waters. That can reduce the risk of collisions, groundings and oil spills — or, if misunderstood, create confusion about who needs a pilot.
• Species protection: Recognizing critical habitat for two endangered turtles adds legal protection on federal lands where they live. That can influence how those areas are managed and what activities are allowed.
• Insurance availability: Allowing Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. to write multiple classes of insurance could increase options in the Canadian market for some commercial risks.
• Local planning and rights: The review of the Western Chorus Frog emergency order could change land-use limits or protections in the three Quebec municipalities. The public comment period (ends September 12, 2025) is an opportunity to provide local information that could affect the outcome.