In October 2018, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) announced the creation of the Arctic Region to align its programs and services with the Canadian Arctic and establish priorities through engagement with Inuit and northern partners.
The Marine Environmental and Hazards Response (MEHR) Program of CCG now has a full-time employee in Kuujjuaq. The MEHR mandate is to monitor, assist, or lead with the intervention when a marine-based spill occurs. To ensure these interventions go smoothly, the MEHR Preparedness Team creates area response plans with local partners and supports contribution agreements and bilateral engagement. The Operations Team has someone on call 24/7 to respond quickly to marine spills and hazards, and to provide on-site support to manage and respond to marine spills and hazards.
The CCG has strategic locations for equipment storage aimed at improving local marine emergency capacity. Currently, there are five such caches in Nunavik, situated around Ungava Bay and are comprised of two shipping containers that include necessary marine spill equipment. These caches are based in the communities to be used by trained local responders to respond quickly to local marine spills while additional equipment and CCG personnel can be mobilized.
Did you know there is a dedicated emergency line operated by the CCG for reporting oil spills, hazardous vessels, or other marine pollution in the Arctic region? They can be reached at any time, either by phone at 1-867-979-5269, e-mail at iqanordreg@ innav.gc.ca or on VHF channel 16 and MF/HF frequency 2182 kHz/4125 kHz.
For more information about the CCG Marine Environmental and Hazards Response Department, you can contact the Kuujjuaq full time employee at: Alysha.Wilson-Maksagak@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
