Should Canada Update Maritime Radio Frequencies for Digital Ship Communications?
Official title: Notice No. SMSE-010-25 — Consultation on the Policy, Technical and Licensing Framework for the VHF Maritime Frequency Bands
This Canada Gazette notice contains multiple items. The main consultation asks whether Canada should update VHF maritime radio frequencies to enable a new digital data exchange system for ships. There's also a 60-day comment period on a scientific approach for identifying potentially harmful chemicals in plastics. Several other notices announce routine fee increases for drug licensing.
Why This Matters
Work in shipping, fishing, or marine industries? This affects how boats communicate. The digital upgrade could improve safety at sea. For most Canadians, the plastics chemicals review is more relevant—it could lead to restrictions on substances in everyday products.
What Could Change
Analog maritime radio systems in certain frequency bands would be phased out. New digital VDES technology would be implemented for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications. For the plastics chemicals review, 6,604 substances could be prioritized for further assessment and potential regulation.
Key Issues
- Should analog maritime systems be displaced from VHF Data Exchange bands?
- How should VDES terrestrial and satellite components be implemented in Canada?
- Is the scientific approach for identifying hazardous chemicals in plastics appropriate?
How to Participate
- For the VHF maritime consultation: Review the full consultation document and submit comments by January 22, 2026. Reply comments are due February 23, 2026.
- For the plastics chemicals review: Read the science approach document and submit comments by email to substances@ec.gc.ca or through ECCC's Single Window) by February 4, 2026.
Submit Your Input
Tips for Your Submission
- Cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of publication in your comments
- Requests for confidentiality must provide reasons as per subsection 313(2) of CEPA