Info Source
Information about Ship and Rail Compensation Canada’s programs and information holdings
2024
Ship and Rail Compensation Canada manages two funds: the Ship Fund and the Rail Fund.
The Ship Fund is also known by the legal name, Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund.
The Rail Fund is also known by the legal name, Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods.
The Ship Fund and the Rail Fund are both subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (the Acts) and other specific regulations, policies, guidelines and directives. For the purposes of the Acts, we are considered a “government institution” and listed in Schedule I of the Access to Information Act, as well as in the Schedule of the Privacy Act.
Table of contents
General information
Introduction to Info Source
Info Source describes the programs and activities, and the information holdings related to programs and activities, of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act to facilitate the right of access. It also provides individuals, including current and former employees of the Government of Canada, with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.
An index of institutions that are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act is available centrally.
The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.
Background
Ship and Rail Compensation Canada is Canada’s compensation hub for anyone affected by oil spills from ships or boats and by major rail accidents involving crude oil.
Our mission is to help victims, responders, and anyone else affected get financial compensation and to hold polluters responsible for damages, losses, and response costs.
Ship and Rail Compensation Canada is an independent federal office managing two funds: the Ship Fund and the Rail Fund. Both Funds were originally created in response to major environmental and human disasters.
Ship and Rail Compensation Canada is managed by an Administrator, with each Fund also having a Deputy Administrator. Each year, the Ship and Rail Funds report to Parliament through the Minister of Transport.
For more information on our history and annual reports, visit:
Responsibilities
Ship Fund Responsibilities
For more information about our mandate and administration, visit the About us page of the Ship Fund.
Rail Fund Responsibilities
For more information about our mandate and administration, visit the About us page of the Rail Fund.
Institutional programs and activities
Ship Fund specific content
1. Core Responsibility: Canada’s Compensation Regime
The Ship Fund compensates anyone affected by oil spills from ships and boats in Canadian waters. The Ship Fund protects anyone affected, as well as taxpayers, from bearing the cost of damages, losses, and response efforts. We also strive to make the polluter pay.
- See the eligibility criteria that must be met for the Ship Fund to accept and pay claims.
We can also pay compensation in the case of mystery spills, when you can’t identify the ship or boat that caused the spill.
We are committed to supporting access to justice. Our goal is to provide fair and timely compensation. Claimants who come to us don’t need to hire a lawyer or go to court.
Once payment is made to a claimant, we take all reasonable measures to recover costs from the shipowner, its insurer, and other responsible parties. This is the polluter pays principle.
1.1 Incident Cases
Description: Records related to claims submitted to the Ship Fund. Includes records related to the administration, offers of compensation, acceptance, payment, and recovery action of claims.
Document Types: Incident reports, claims, surveys, investigations and assessments, pleadings, photographs and images, maps, notes, requisitions, policies and procedures, private locator reports, legal opinions, court documents, documents disclosed within legal proceedings, and correspondence.
Record Number: SOPF INC 001
1.2 Incident Case Files
Description: This bank describes information that is related to the administration, investigation, assessment, legal proceedings, and payment of claims submitted to the Ship Fund regarding ship-source oil pollution damage and expenses incurred. Some information relates to cost recovery measures from the shipowner, the IOPC Funds, or any other person liable of compensation paid to claimants from the Ship Fund. The personal information may include names, contact information, biographical information, citizenship status, credit information, date of birth, date of death, financial information, other identification numbers (e.g. legal docket number, police incident number), signature and photographs, and personal views and opinions.
Class of individuals: Persons who have submitted claims to the Ship Fund, persons who have commenced legal proceedings against a suspected polluter, legal representatives of individual or shipowner witnesses (e.g. lawyer, power of attorney).
Purpose: Personal information is collected and used to process and investigate claims made regarding ship-source oil pollution, to assess compensation to claimants, and to administer cost recovery action to applicable shipowners and obtain views and opinions from counsel about potential legal action for cost recovery. This information is necessary for the Administrator to carry out his or her mandate under the Marine Liability Act (MLA).
Consistent Users: In the case of legal proceedings, information will be shared between legal representatives and with the applicable municipal, provincial/territorial, federal court of law. Aggregate information is published in the Annual Report to Parliament on the operations of the Ship Fund. The information may also be used or disclosed for evaluation, research and/or statistical purposes.
Retention and Disposal Standards: Records will be retained for three years after the settlement of individual claims and the expiry of the appeal period, if any. Incident reports not resulting in a claim are kept for six years after the report is made, and general subject files are kept for five years after resolution. As per guidelines provided, some records are then transferred to Library and Archives Canada (LAC) for archival purposes.
RDA Number: 96/002
Related Record Number: SOPF INC 001
TBS Registration: 200090841
Bank Number: SOPF PPU 001
1.3 Ship Fund Indexation, Limitation of Liability and Levy
Description: Records related to the Ship Fund’s indexation, former limit of liability, the total amount payable to all claims resulting from a single oil spill, and levy exercise on each metric ton of contributing oil imported into or exported from Canada in bulk as cargo on a ship. Records may include the annual correspondence between the Ship Fund and Transport Canada, as well as any related reports.
Document Types: Correspondence and reports.
Record Number: SOPF OPS 005
1.4 Contractors and Response Organizations
Description: Records related to contractors and response organizations specializing in surveys, assessments, investigations and inspections including clean-up activities in response to ship-source oil pollution incidents who may be available to conduct surveys, assessments, investigations and/or inspections in support of the claims administration and settlement process.
Document Types: Correspondence.
Record Number: SOPF OPS 002
1.5 Maritime Pollution Claims Find (MPCF)
Description: Records related to the general administration and operation of the Ship Fund’s predecessor, the MPCF. Includes records related to correspondence, memoranda and reports created and/or received during the MPCF regime.
Document Types: Correspondence, notes, and reports.
Record Number: SOPF OPS 004
2. Core Responsibility: Outreach Activities
Initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the existence of the Ship Fund and compensation available. These includes federal, provincial and territorial governments, local governments, the marine insurance industry, the maritime legal community, Environmental Response professionals and industry, ports and marinas, Indigenous groups and communities, the fishing and aquaculture industries, the boating community, the shipping industry, international partners, academics, private citizens and the media.
2.1 Affiliations, Federal, National and International Relations
Description: Records related to the fostering of relationships and increasing cooperation with outside organizations, other government departments and agencies, foreign countries and international organizations, provincial, territorial, and local governments, ports and marinas, Indigenous groups, shipowners, insurers, Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, oil shippers, as well as organizations, associations, clubs, societies and foundations.
Document Types: Correspondence, notes, reports, meeting agendas and minutes, records of decisions, presentations, Memoranda of Understanding, and legal opinions.
Record Number: SOPF OUT 001
2.2 Committees, Conferences, Seminars and Workshops
Description: Records related to committees, conferences, seminars and workshops related to oil pollution, prevention, response, liability or compensation regime issues in which the Ship Fund may or may not actively participate.
Document Types: Correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, notes, lists of participants, presentations, records of decisions and reports.
Record Number: SOPF OUT 002
3. Core Responsibility: International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Funds
The Ship Fund is responsible under the Marine Liability Act (MLA) for the payment of Canada’s contributions to the IOPC Funds. The Ship Fund is responsible for collecting data from receivers of contributing oil annually and reporting it to the IOPC Funds. The Administrator also participates, as a member of the Canadian delegation, in meetings of the Executive Committee and the Assembly of the IOPC Funds.
3.1 International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds)
Description: Records related to the administration of the IOPC Funds. Includes records related to the contributions by Canada to the IOPC Funds, including records of contributing oil companies, correspondence to and from the IOPC Funds, contributing oil reports, and records related to IOPC Funds’ committees and working groups.
Document Types: Correspondence, notes, instructions, reports, meeting agendas and records of decision.
Record Number: SOPF OPS 001
Rail Fund specific content
1. Core Responsibility: Domestic Compensation Regime
The Rail Fund compensates anyone affected by major rail accidents involving crude oil. In the event of a major rail accident involving crude oil, the Rail Fund protects anyone affected, as well as taxpayers, from bearing the cost of damages, losses, and response efforts.
- See the Eligibility criteria that must be met for the Rail Fund to start accepting and paying claims.
We are committed to ensuring that when there is a major crude-by-rail accident, our goal is to provide fair and timely compensation.
But first, compensation will be provided from the railway company involved. The railway company pays claims until it reaches its liability limit. Then, Canadians can access compensation from the Rail Fund, once it is activated.
1.1 Accident Cases
Description: Records related to claims submitted to the Rail Fund for damages caused by a major crude-by-rail accident. Includes records related to the administration, offers of compensation, acceptance, payment and recovery action of claims. Records may include accident reports, response organization reports, legal proceedings, pleadings and recourse action proceedings.
Document Types: Accident reports, claims, reports, surveys, investigations and assessments, letters, letters of undertaking, pleadings, photographs and images, maps, notes, requisitions, policies and procedures, legal opinions, court documents, and correspondence.
Record Number: FRAIDG INC 001
1.2 Rail Fund Indexation, Limitation of Liability, and Levy
Description: Records related to the Rail Fund indexation, limit of liability, and levy exercise on each metric tonne of contributing oil imported into or exported from Canada in bulk as cargo on a railway. Records may include the annual correspondence between the Rail Fund and Transport Canada as well as any related reports.
Document Types: Correspondence, payment records and reports.
Record Number: FRAIDG OPS 005
2. Core Responsibility: Outreach Activities
Initiatives aimed at assuring early engagement of other key players of the regime, and at raising awareness of the existence of the Rail Fund and compensation available to victims. This includes railway companies and associations, federal, provincial and territorial governments, local governments, insurers, the legal community, response organizations and first responders, the Canadian Red Cross, Indigenous groups and communities, the oil and gas industry, the agricultural industry, landowner associations, utility providers, academics, private citizens, and the media.
2.1 Affiliations, Federal, National and International Relations
Description: Records related to the fostering of relationships and increasing cooperation with outside organizations, such as other government departments and agencies, foreign countries and international organizations, provincial, territorial, and local governments, railway companies, response organizations, emergency responders, Indigenous groups and communities, and insurance companies, as well as organizations, associations, clubs, societies, and foundations.
Document Types: Correspondence, notes, reports, meeting agendas and minutes, records of decisions, presentations, Memoranda of Understanding, and legal opinions.
Record Number: FRAIDG OUT 001
2.2 Committees, Conferences, Seminars and Workshops
Description: Records related to committees, conferences, seminars and workshops related to designated goods pollution, prevention, response, liability or compensation regime issues in which the Rail Fund may or may not actively participate.
Document Types: Correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, notes, lists of participants, presentations, records of decisions and reports.
Record Number: FRAIDG OUT 002
Internal services
Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Acquisitions; Communications Services; Financial Management; Human Resources Management; Information Management; Information Technology; Legal Services; Management and Oversight Services; Material; Real Property; Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.
Acquisitions Services
Acquisition Services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.
Communications Services
Communications Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well-coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public – internal or external – receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.
Financial Management Services
Financial Management Services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.
Human Resources Management Services;
Human Resources Management Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.
- Classification of Positions Class of Record
- Compensation and Benefits Class of Record
- Hospitality Class of Record
- Labour Relations Class of Record
- Occupational Health and Safety Class of Record
- Official Languages Class of Record
- Performance Management Reviews Class of Record
- Recruitment and Staffing Class of Record
- Training and Development Class of Record
Information Management Services
Information Management Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency, and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.
Information Technology Services
Information Technology Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.
Legal Services
Legal services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.
Management and Oversight services
Management and Oversight Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.
- Cooperation and Liaison Class of Record
- Executive Services Class of Record
- Internal Audit and Evaluation Class of Record
- Planning and Reporting Class of Record
Material Services
Material Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that material can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.
Real Property Services
Real Property Services involve activities undertaken to ensure real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner, throughout its life cycle, to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.
Travel and Other Administrative Services
Travel and Other Administrative Services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.
- Administrative Services Class of Record
- Boards, Committees and Council Class of Record
- Proactive Disclosure Class of Record
- Security Class of Record
- Travel Class of Record
Manuals
Ship Fund
- Assessors Guidelines and Work Instructions
- Claims Processing and Management Manual
- Compensation Handbook for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Related Activities
- Compensation Handbook for Municipal, Local and Indigenous Governments
- Compensation Handbook for Ports, Harbours, and Marinas
- Expedited Process for Small Claims: Guidelines & Form
- General Claims Manual
- General Claims Process Form
- Guideline for Claims Involving Vessel Deconstruction
- Sample Small Claim: Government Agency Claimant
- Sample Small Claim: Individual Claimant
Rail Fund
- Consolidated Claim Forms
- Crisis & Media Management Playbook Process Guide
Additional information
For general information about making a request for access to information or personal information, see Make an access to information or personal information request.
To make a request for information online, access the Access to Information and Personal Information Online Request Service.
To make a request for information under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act by mail, mail your letter or completed Access to Information Request Form (Access to Information Act) or Personal Information Request Form (Privacy Act), along with any necessary documents (such as consent), to the following address:
Access to Information and Privacy
Ship and Rail Compensation Canada
180 Kent Street, Suite 830
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
In accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, an area on the premises will be made available to review original materials on site if that is the applicant’s preference (and it is practical to do so), or if it is not practical to create copies of the material.
Please note: Each request made online to Ship and Rail Compensation Canada under the Access to Information Act must be accompanied by an application fee of $5. This is paid at the time of application via credit card.
The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through requests outside of the formal request processes. To make an informal request, contact:
Access to Information and Privacy
Ship and Rail Compensation Canada
180 Kent Street – Suite 830
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Telephone: 1-866 991-1727
Telephone: (613) 991-1727
Fax: (613) 990-5423
Email: atip-aiprp@sr-nr.gc.ca
You may also wish to search summaries of completed access to information requests for which Ship and Rail Compensation Canada has already provided responses (Ship Fund, Rail Fund), as this information may be more easily obtained. You may also wish to review available open data regarding Ship and Rail Compensation Canada’s Travel and Hospitality Expenses.
