C-383Prohibiting the Export of Thermal Coal Act

What it does

• Prohibits exporting thermal coal from Canada unless the exporter has a permit from the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Transport.
• Defines thermal coal as coal used to generate electricity, and certain bituminous, sub-bituminous, lignite and agglomerated lignite, but not metallurgical bituminous coal.
• Allows permits only when the ministers believe the export is needed to address an imminent threat to human health, safety or the environment, and lets them set conditions.
• Requires the ministers to publish permit decisions, reasons and prescribed documents on a Government of Canada website.
• Makes illegal exports, or breaking permit conditions, an offence punishable by fines up to $6 million or $12 million on indictment, and up to $4 million or $8 million on summary conviction.
• Brings the law into force on a day set by the Governor in Council, after consulting trade unions whose members are likely to be affected, and no later than one year after royal assent.