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 energy 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.
Statutes, 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 energy activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.
Accord Agreement
Canada - Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord
Document
Accord Acts
Boundary between the Canada-Nova Scotia and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Areas
Other Applicable Legislation
Regulations are developed by the Government of Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia to further define requirements specific to energy activities conducted in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.
We 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.
Please note that as we transition to be the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator, some of these Memoranda of Understandings and Agreements will need to be updated to reflect our new name and expanded responsibilities. These links wills be updated as these documents are updated.
| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
Work Plans/Progress Reports: 2024 Work Plan File Attachment
2023 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2023 Work Plan File Attachment
2022 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2022 Work Plan File Attachment
2021 Work Plan File Attachment
2021 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2020 Work Plan File Attachment
2020 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2019 Work Plan File Attachment
2019 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2018 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2018 Work Plan Activities File Attachment
2017 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2017 Work Plan Activities File Attachment
2016 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
Work Plans/Progress Reports: 2024 Work Plan File Attachment
2023 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2023 Work Plan File Attachment
2022 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2022 Work Plan File Attachment
2021 Work Plan File Attachment
2021 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2020 Work Plan File Attachment
2020 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2019 Work Plan File Attachment
2019 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2018 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2018 Work Plan Activities File Attachment
2017 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
2017 Work Plan Activities File Attachment
2016 Annual Progress Report File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
|
| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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| 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 File Attachment
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We 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.
Please note that as we transition to be the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator, some of these Guidelines will need to be updated to reflect our new name and expanded responsibilities. These links wills be updated as these documents are updated.
| Date | Document Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 13/01/2025 | DRAFT – Safety Plan Guideline File Attachment
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| 13/01/2025 | DRAFT – Guideline for the Framework Regulations File Attachment
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| 13/01/2025 | DRAFT – Contingency Plan Guideline File Attachment
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| 13/01/2025 | DRAFT – Environmental Protection Plan Guideline File Attachment
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| 28/10/2024 | Administrative Monetary Penalty Guideline File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 28/10/2024 | Standby Vessel Guideline File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 28/10/2024 | Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Guideline File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 28/10/2024 | Guideline for the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 28/10/2024 | Data Acquisition Guideline File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 28/10/2024 | Measurement Guideline File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 28/10/2024 | Offshore Chemical Selection Guideline File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 31/08/2024 | Cost Recovery Guideline File Attachment
| CNSOPB/C-NLOPB |
| 05/06/2023 | Guidelines Respecting Financial Requirements File Attachment
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Offshore Waste Treatment Guidelines File Attachment
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Canada-Nova Scotia Benefits Plan Guidelines File Attachment
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Compensation Guidelines Respecting Damages Relating to Offshore Petroleum Activity File Attachment
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Conflict of Interest Guidelines for Members of the Canada-Nova Scotia Petroleum Board File Attachment
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Guidelines on Plans and Authorizations Required for Development Projects File Attachment
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Guidelines on the Issuance of Exploration Licences - applies to Call for Bids NS 12-1 and Forward File Attachment
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Guidelines Regarding Applications for Significant or Commercial Discovery Declarations and Amendments File Attachment
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Incident and Investigation Guidelines File Attachment
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Land Division Guideline File Attachment
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We 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 activity authorization.
Please note that the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board became the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator on January 31, 2025. Directives written prior to this date will reference the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.
| Date | Safety/Security Directives |
|---|---|
| 14/12/2018 | Fatigue Management Code of Practice File Attachment
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| 04/04/2011 | Security of Offshore Installations and Facilities File Attachment
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| Date | Safety/Security & Conservation Directive |
|---|---|
| 31/12/2014 | Regulatory Queries File Attachment
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We issue notices to provide information on significant industry incidents and/or guidance regarding regulatory requirements or expectations.
Please note that the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board became the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator on January 31, 2025. Notices written prior to this date will reference the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.
| Date | Safety Notices |
|---|---|
| 31/03/2022 | Safety Notice - COVID-19 File Attachment
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| 09/06/2014 | New Phone Number for Immediate Verbal Reporting File Attachment
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| Date | Lands Management Notices |
|---|---|
| 27/01/2012 | Transition Plan for Land Nominations File Attachment
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| 26/01/2011 | Work Deposit Deferral Policy File Attachment
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Codes 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.
Please note that the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board became the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator on January 31, 2025. Codes of Practice written prior to this date will reference the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.
Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Industry Safe Lifting Practice Respecting the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Materials Handling Equipment, 2023 (CoP-SL) File Attachment
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Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Code of Practice for the Training and Qualifications of Offshore Personnel, 2023 (CoP-TQ) File Attachment
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Presentation - Overview of the changes to the 2023 CoP-TQ File Attachment
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Fatigue Management File Attachment
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Transportation of Employees by Helicopter to or from a Workplace in the Offshore Petroleum Industry – East Coast Canada (2020) File Attachment
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