Harbour Commissions Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-1).

The objective of the national ports policy for Canada is to create a port system that: a) is an effective instrument of support for the achievement of Canadian international trade objectives and of national, regional and local economic and social objectives; b) is efficient; c) provides accessibility and equitable treatment in the movement of goods and persons to users of Canadian ports; d) provides harbour Commissions with a high degree of autonomy for the management and operation of the ports for which they are established, consistent with the responsibility of the Minister to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the national ports system and the optimum deployment of resources; and e) is coordinated with other marine activities and surface and air transportation systems. Section 5 establishes that the Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, by proclamation, establish a harbour Commission for any harbour or port of Canada if the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the establishment of a Commission for the harbour or port will enable the improvement of the administration thereof. The text consists of 34 sections.