The scope of this Act is to prevent pollution of areas of the arctic waters adjacent to the mainland and islands of the Canadian arctic. "Arctic waters" is defined in section 2 and means the internal waters of Canada, the waters of the territorial sea of Canada, the exclusive economic zone of Canada, and the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone.
Except as authorized by regulations made under this Act, no person or ship shall deposit or permit the deposit of waste of any type in the arctic waters or in any place on the mainland or islands of the Canadian arctic under any conditions where the waste or any other waste that results from the deposit of the waste may enter the arctic waters. Any person or master of ship who (a) has deposited waste, or (b) is in danger of causing any deposit of waste shall report the deposit of waste or the accident or other occurrence to a pollution prevention officer. A pollution prevention officer may at any reasonable time enter any area, place or premises, examine any waste found and require any person to produce any books, documents or papers concerning any relevant matter. The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing the type and quantity of waste, if any, that may be deposited by any person or ship in the arctic waters or in any place on the mainland or islands of the Canadian arctic.
Any person or ship who contravenes is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction.