RESPONDER THE THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CANADIAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE CONTRACTORS’ ALLIANCE CERCA: SPRING / SUMMER 2025 Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661Spring / Summer 2025 | 5 Published By: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Publication Mail Agreement Number: 40609661 Return all undeliverable addresses to: 309 Youville Street Winnipeg, MB R2H 2S9 Toll-Free: (866) 999-1299 Toll-Free Fax: (866) 244-2544 sales@matrixgroupinc.net www.matrixgroupinc.net President & CEO Jack Andress Operations Manager Shoshana Weinberg sweinberg@matrixgroupinc.net Senior Publisher Jessica Potter jpotter@matrixgroupinc.net Publishers Julie Welsh, Christine Scarisbrick Editor-in-Chief Shannon Savory ssavory@matrixgroupinc.net Editors / Social Media Managers Jenna Collignon, Paul Adair, Kaitlin Vitt Finance / Administration Lloyd Weinberg, Nathan Redekop accounting@matrixgroupinc.net Director of Circulation & Distribution Lloyd Weinberg distribution@matrixgroupinc.net Sales Manager Jeff Cash jcash@matrixgroupinc.net Matrix Group Publishing Inc. 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CERCA’S WORD 07 A Message from the Chair ON THE COVER 08 CERCA’s Role in Marine Environment Responses FEATURES 10 M/V Maipo River Oil Spill Response in British Columbia 12 Fuel Oil Spill Response off Newfoundland’s Southern Coast 14 West Coast Defenders: Western Canada Marine Response 17 TRANSCAER Canada Celebrates 40 Years of Awareness Building CERCA SERVING YOU 18 Meet CERCA’s Contractor Members 21 The Founding Fathers of Canadian Emergency Response 20 INDEX TO ADVERTISERSTABLE OF SPRING / SUMMER 2025 10 12 17 14 CONTENTS On the Cover: With an evolving landscape shaped by both climate and industrial factors, WCMRC helps safeguard the wildlife and communities along Canada’s western coastline. Photo courtesy of WCMRC. RESPONDER THE THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CANADIAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE CONTRACTORS’ ALLIANCE CERCA: SPRING / SUMMER 2025 Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 CERCA: THE RESPONDER Published For: Canadian Emergency Response Contractors’ Alliance c/o Shawn Barton 200-5035 South Service Road Burlington, ON L7L 6M9 Tel: (416) 253-6000 shawn.barton@qmenv.com www.cerca-aceiu.ca To advertise in next issue, contact sales@matrixgroupinc.net / 866-999-1299. Read past issues at https://www.cerca-aceiu.ca/the-responder.Spring / Summer 2025 | 7 Canadian industry and i nterests in this evolv- ing space. CERCA remains at the forefront of addressing these challenges, continuously adapting our strategies and resources to meet the demands of our changing world. Looking ahead As we move forward into 2025, our focus remains on enhancing our collective capabilities through rigorous training and sustainable practices. This year CERCA will be focused on responses to marine ecosys- tems, and we welcome further collabora- tions on that front. To that end we look forward to our 55 th semi-annual meeting, happening April 8-9, 2025, in beautiful Nanaimo, British Columbia. Here we will kick off the first of two meetings centered around this impor- tant sector, hosted by Western Canada Marine Response Corporation’s Nanaimo Operations Base. Then, in fall 2025, we will be having the second of such focused meetings in Dart- mouth, Nova Scotia. For more information, or for presentation opportunities please reach out to us at any time through the CERCA executive contacts or through our website, www.cerca-aceiu.ca. A call to action To our dedicated emergency response professionals: your unwavering commit- ment to safeguarding our communities and environment is the backbone of our organization. As we face new challenges, your expertise and adaptability will be more crucial than ever. To our industry partners and stakehold- ers: your continued support and collabora- tion are essential in our mission to provide and promote a network of sound environ- mental emergency response service pro- viders in Canada. Together, we will continue to set new standards for our industry, contributing to a safer and more resilient Canada. I am confi- dent that CERCA will remain at the forefront of innovative, effective, and sustainable emergency response practices. Thank you for your dedication and trust in CERCA. I look forward to our continued success and the positive impact we will make in the coming year. s we welcome spring 2025, I reflect on how this past year has been one of significant growth and adaptation for the Canadian Emergency Response Contractors’ Alliance (CERCA), and I am proud of the strides we have made together. Since the fall meeting in Quebec City last year, CERCA has strengthened its network and expand- ed its reach. The re-election of Andy Jeves as Vice Chair and the election of Jamie MacCorkindale as Secretary mark a continu- ation of strong leadership at CERCA, and we also acknowledge the contributions of outgo- ing Secretary John Zaidan, whose years of service have been invaluable. In early 2025, CERCA launched target- ed advertising and outreach campaigns to explore new partnerships and expand resources, enhancing our ability to serve a broader audience. These efforts under- score CERCA’s mission to foster a robust emergency response network across Can- ada, as well as to add even more depth and value to the greater CERCA community. Adapting to new challenges The landscape of emergency response continues to evolve, presenting us with new challenges to overcome. The recent trade tensions between the United States and Canada are likely to significantly impact industrial traffic between the two countries, and an escalating trade war may lead to reduced cross-border shipments as com- panies seek alternative suppliers or mar- kets. Additionally, ongoing negotiations and potential revisions to the Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) trade agreement could further alter the landscape of indus- trial traffic between our two nations, which are sure to influence the needs of Canadi- an industry relating to manufacturing and production volumes, transportation routes, and frequencies of commodities and goods –all of which bring the potential for a need for increased levels of preparedness and response. CERCA has identified the potential for such shifting demographics and urbanization patterns to affect our approach to emergency management and we stand ready to support CERCA'S WORD MEET THE CERCA TEAM CHAIR Shawn Barton QM Environmental Tel: (236) 983-1537 Shawn.Barton@qmenv.com VICE-CHAIR Andy Jeves NUCOR Environmental Solutions Ltd. Tel: (604) 910-6796 andyj@nucorenv.ca TREASURER Jessica Cain GFL Environmental Services Inc. Tel: (437) 997-1886 jkovatch@gflenv.com SECRETARY Jamie MacCorkindale Spartan Response Inc. Tel: (905) 580-5699 jmaccorkindale@ spartanresponse.com PAST CHAIR David Hill GFL Environmental Services Inc. Tel: (416) 458-9096 david.hill@gflenv.com COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Shawn Barton QM Environmental Tel: (236) 983-1537 Shawn.Barton@qmenv.com Shawn Barton Chair, CERCA8 | The official publication of the Canadian Emergency Response Contractors’ Alliance anada’s response framework for hazardous materials spills impacting marine environments involves a multi- agency approach guided by federal legislation, inter- national agreements, and provincial coordination. Key components of Canada’s Regula- tory Framework include: • Transport Canada: Transport Canada leads the Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime, setting guidelines for ship-source spills of oil and hazardous / noxious substances (HNS) and mandates vessel operators and oil-handling facilities to maintain oil spill response plans and contracts with certified Response Organizations (ROs) capable of managing spills up to 10,000 tonnes in Canadian waters south of 60° North latitude. Transport Canada also administers the National Aerial Surveillance Program to monitor vessel compliance and detect spills. • Canadian Coast Guard: As an autonomous, special operating agency within the umbrella of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) leads federal efforts to manage ship-source and mystery-source pollution in Canadian waters. As part of Canada’s Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime, CCG ensures readiness, evaluates pollution reports, and coordinates responses with partners like Transport Canada and Environment Canada. It also oversees industry compliance with the ‘polluter pays’ principle and intervenes when polluters cannot respond. Using the These organizations fall onto one of two categories: certified Response Organizations (RO) and CERCA verified contractors. A certified RO under Transport Can- ada’s definition is a person or body cer- tified by the Minister of Transport to respond to oil spills in a specific geo- graphic area and for a specified quantity of oil. These organizations are private entities specializing in oil spill response, certified every three years by Transport Canada according to requirements set out in the Response Organizations Regu- lations (ROR) and Response Organiza- tion Standards. Key aspects of certified ROs include: • Capability: They must demonstrate the ability to respond to oil spills of up to 10,000 tonnes within set times and operating environments. • Response plans: ROs must establish a detailed response plan showing they have the minimum required equipment, resources, and procedures to effectively respond to ship-source oil pollution incidents in their areas of responsibility. • Responsibilities: Certified ROs must maintain response capabilities, conduct training, implement exercise programs, and regularly update their response plans. Proud CERCA members that operate as certified ROs in Canada include: • Eastern Canada Response Corporation Ltd. (ECRC-SIMEC): Provides coverage for navigable waters east of the Rocky Mountains, except for specific areas in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. • Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC): Covers the West Coast of British Columbia. These ROs are certified by Trans- port Canada every three years and are required to maintain specific levels of preparedness to respond to oil spills. They must have area-specific response Incident Command System, CCG collaborates with other agencies to minimize environmental, economic, and public safety impacts while maintaining robust response capabilities across Canadian jurisdictions. • Environment and Climate Change Canada: Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) provides crucial scientific and technical expertise for marine spill responses through its National Environmental Emergencies Centre. ECCC offers advice on weather, contaminant behavior, cleanup priorities, and ecosystem protection. It also manages the Science Table to ensure science- based decisions and collaborates with the Canadian Coast Guard, which leads operational responses. By coordinating efforts and offering expertise, ECCC plays a vital role in minimizing environmental impacts during marine pollution incidents. • Provincial and Territorial Roles: Provinces enforce pollution control regulations under frameworks, such as Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act or Quebec’s Environmental Quality Act, which mandate spill reporting, cleanup, and liability for land-based contamination affecting waterways. It is also important to note that federal laws take precedence in navigable waters, while provincial rules address inland contamination sources. Canadian response organizations The Canadian Emergency Response Contractors’ Alliance’s (CERCA) mem- bership is comprised of Canada’s larg- est pool of industry verified and gov- ernment certified response organiza- tions, which provide vetted and valuable resources that come into play during water-borne responses to spills and potential spills to Canadian waterways. ON THE COVER By Shawn Barton, Chair, Canadian Emergency Response Contractors’ Alliance CERCA’s Role in Marine Environment ResponsesSpring / Summer 2025 | 9 environmental emergencies with utmost safety and professionalism. In the realm of marine and water- based incident response, CERCA unites the expertise and decades of experience of certified ROs and verified contractors. As a cohesive network, CERCA members engage in regular collaboration, joint training exercises, and the exchange of best practices. This ensures that Canada is equipped with top-tier resources to address marine incidents, regardless of their location or complexity. The CERCA 2025 Spring Meeting, scheduled for April 8-9, 2025, in Nanai- mo, British Columbia, exemplifies this spirit of collaboration. The event will bring together contractors, certified ROs, industry stakeholders, and federal and provincial regulatory bodies. This gath- ering aims to strengthen capabilities, foster innovation, and uphold the high- est standards in managing incidents that impact Canada’s marine environments. From open water spills to foreshore cleanups and inland water responses, CERCA members are committed to safe- guarding Canada’s diverse and rich marine ecosystems. For more information on CERCA or to apply to become a member, please visit our website at www.cerca-aceiu.ca. • Annual training in areas like respiratory protection, chemical protective clothing, and air monitoring. Equipment requirements • Essential equipment includes chemical protective clothing, PPE, and safety gear. • Specialty equipment for handling chemical or dangerous goods emergencies. This verification process ensures CERCA Verified Contractors are equipped and trained to effectively respond to haz- ardous material emergencies and main- tain the high standards of public safety and environmental protection. Benefits of hiring CERCA verified contractors Commitment to Excellence: CERCA promotes the highest industry standards in emergency response services, ensur- ing top-tier professionalism and exper- tise. • Transparency: Clients can access detailed verification reports directly on the CERCA website, fostering trust and accountability. • Safety and expertise: CERCA- certified contractors are equipped to manage complex hazardous plans and the capacity to respond to spills of up to 10,000 tonnes within pre- scribed timeframes and operating envi- ronments. A CERCA verified contractor is a member of a national network of for- hire emergency response providers and undergo a rigorous verification process to assess their emergency response capabilities, including: Capability assessment • On-site reviews of documentation and equipment by a verification team. • Contractors must demonstrate readiness for advertised services, including marine incidents if applicable. • Biennial vetting ensures compliance with industry standards. Compliance standards • Training aligned with NFPA 472 standards. • Possession of essential and specialty equipment. • $5 million liability and environmental impairment coverage. Training requirements • Team leaders trained to technician level per NFPA 472. • Team members trained to operations level per NFPA 472.Next >