Legislation and Regulatory Instruments

It’s our job to hold industry accountable. We make sure operators follow the rules and requirements established in the legislation.

We enforce the rules and requirements contained in legislation to ensure that the oil and gas resources in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area are developed responsibly while protecting what matters - the health and safety of offshore workers and the environment. To best set out and explain our expectations in complying with these rules and requirements, we develop and publish a number of supporting regulatory instruments such as guidelines, directives and notices. Additionally, our Chief Safety Officer may require operators to develop or follow Codes of Practice. These regulatory instruments help us ensure operators are aware of and meet their legislative obligations.

In order to ensure effective coordination and to avoid duplication of work and activities, we have entered into a number of Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements with other government departments and agencies. Among other things, this enables us to leverage the vast expertise that exists within the public sector to ensure that we make the best regulatory decisions.

Learn more about the legislation and different types of regulatory instruments we use below.

StatutesStatutes, which include Acts, are developed by the Government of Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia and sets out the rules and requirements that we implement and enforce related to oil and gas activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memoranda of Understandings and AgreementsWe have a number of Memoranda of Understandings with other government agencies and organizations to support information sharing and coordination of activities, among other things. This helps us to leverage expertise, exchange knowledge and share resources to advance our mandate.

Organization MOU/AGREEMENT Purpose MOU/AGREEMENT Reference

Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board

Cooperation and coordination in areas of mutual interest and benefit, to support the promotion of safety, security, environmental protection, and resource conservation in respective areas of regulatory jurisdiction.

Memorandum of Understanding between the National Energy Board, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Coordination and Regulatory Matters

Canadian Coast Guard

Coordinate activities related to safety and environmental response, and promote safety and environmental protection through effective spill preparedness and response training and exercises.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board  and the Canadian Coast Guard - Coordination of Activities

 

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

For federally led Environmental Assessments, exchange information related to compliance with the conditions set out in the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Decision Statement. Most recent example is for the BP Canada Scotian Basin Exploration Drilling Project.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Respecting the BP Scotian Basin Drilling Project

Employment and Social Development Canada Exchange of employment information that relates to work or activities subject to Canada-Nova Scotia Benefits Plans. Memorandum of Understanding between the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Employment and Social Development Canada - Exchange of Employment Information
Environment and Climate Change Canada Promote protection of the environment, preparedness and response to oil spills, and conservation of migratory birds and species at risk during offshore oil and gas activities.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Environment and Climate Change Canada - Protection of the Environment

WORK PLANS/PROGRESS REPORTS:

2023 Work Plan

2022 Annual Progress Report

2022 Work Plan

2021 Work Plan

2021 Annual Progress Report

2020 Work Plan

2020 Annual Progress Report

2019 Work Plan

2019 Annual Progress Report

2018 Annual Progress Report

2018 Work Plan Activities

2017 Annual Progress Report

2017 Work Plan Activities

2016 Annual Progress Report

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Facilitate and promote effective coordination and collaboration on the development and implementation of integrated management plans for marine and coastal waters in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Coordination of Activities and Collaboration of Integrated Management Plans

WORK PLANS/PROGRESS REPORTS:

2023 Work Plan

2022 Annual Progress Report

2022 Work Plan

2021 Work Plan

2021 Annual Progress Report

2020 Work Plan

2020 Annual Progress Report

2019 Work Plan

2019 Annual Progress Report

2018 Annual Progress Report

2018 Work Plan Activities

2017 Annual Progress Report

2017 Work Plan Activities

2016 Annual Progress Report

National Energy Board

Cooperation and coordination in areas of mutual interest and benefit, and support the promotion of safety, security, environmental protection, and resource conservation in respective areas of regulatory jurisdiction.

Memorandum of Understanding between the National Energy Board, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Coordination and Regulatory Matters

National Energy Board

Cooperation and coordination of roles related to monitoring and compliance of pipelines used in oil and gas activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memorandum of Understanding between the National Energy Board and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Pipelines

National Energy Board

Encourage effective public participation, promote certainty and predictability of processes, avoid regulatory duplication and increase efficiencies in the review of Development Projects

Memorandum of Understanding between National Energy Board,  Natural Resources Canada, and the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines - Concurrent Development Plan Review and Approval

Natural Resources Canada

Establish an understanding of roles with respect to the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal peoples in relation to offshore activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Aboriginal Consultation 

Natural Resources Canada

Administration of Part III of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act.

Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Administration of Part III of Accord Acts

Natural Resources Canada

Administration of Part III.1 - Occupational Health and Safety Regime under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act.

Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Administration of Part III.1 - Occupational Health and Safety Regime under the Accord Acts

Natural Resources Canada

Encourage effective public participation, promote certainty and predictability of processes, avoid regulatory duplication and increase efficiencies in the review of Development Projects

Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, National Energy Board and the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines - Concurrent Development Plan Review and Approval

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables

Establish an understanding of roles with respect to the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal peoples in relation to offshore activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Aboriginal Consultation 

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables Administration of Part III of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act. Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Administration of Part III of Accord Acts
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables

Administration of Part III.1 - Occupational Health and Safety Regime under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act.

Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Administration of Part III.1 - Occupational Health and Safety Regime under the Accord Acts

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables

Encourage effective public participation, promote certainty and predictability of processes, avoid regulatory duplication and increase efficiencies in the review of Development Projects

Memorandum of Understanding between the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, Natural Resources Canada and the National Energy Board  - Concurrent Development Plan Review and Approval

Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education

Administration of Part III.1 - Occupational Health and Safety Regime under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act

Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources Canada, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Administration of Part III.1 - Occupational Health and Safety Regime under the Accord Acts

Transport Canada

Coordination of activities to avoid duplication of work in relation to marine safety, occupational health and safety, and environmental protection related to oil and gas activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memorandum of Understanding between Transport Canada and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Marine Safety

Transport Canada

Coordination of activities, cooperation, and consultation to promote marine security in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memorandum of Understanding between Transport Canada and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board – Marine Security

Transport Canada

Coordination of activities with respect to the respective regulatory mandate of offshore petroleum-related activities.

Memorandum of Understanding between Transport Canada and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Civil Aviation

Transportation Safety Board

Coordination of activities regarding transportation occurrences in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Transportation Safety Board and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board - Coordination of Activities During Transportation Occurrences

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Sets out roles and responsibilities in relation to the Access to Information and Privacy Online Request Service, and specifies terms and conditions under which the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat will collect, use, distribute, dispose and transmit of requests.

Memorandum of Understanding between Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and The Institution - ATIP Online Request Service

GuidelinesWe develop guidelines that provide further details and guidance to operators to comply with the legislation. In some cases, our guidelines are developed jointly with other regulators.

DirectivesWe issue two types of directives. Safety/security directives are additional requirements to the regulations as determined by our Chief Safety Officer. Environmental directives are additional requirements to the regulations as determined by our Chief Conservation Officer. Compliance with Safety/Environmental Directives are incorporated as conditions of any work authorization.

NoticesWe issue notices to provide information on significant industry incidents and/or guidance regarding regulatory requirements or expectations.

Codes of PracticeCodes of Practice are written rules that explain how people working in particular occupations or workplaces should behave. The Accord Acts authorize our Chief Safety Officer to require that an employer establish or adopt a code of practice in respect of occupational health and safety in their workplace, including transportation to the workplace.