Whether in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic oceans, the health and protection of our coastline-the longest in the world-is critical to our environment, our economy, and to all Canadians. Since 2016, Canada's Oceans Protection Plan has made shipping safer, increased protections for our marine ecosystems, improved how we respond to marine incidents, and strengthened the role Indigenous Peoples play in how their traditional coasts and waterways are managed.
Today, on the sixth anniversary of the Oceans Protection Plan, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, released the Report to Canadians that details hundreds of results across more than 50 initiatives from coast-to-coast-to-coast since the start of the Plan.
A sample of highlights from the hundreds of Oceans Protection Plan program results include:
- Atlantic Region: Supported the studies of over 340 graduates from underrepresented groups, including Indigenous Peoples and women, from Nova Scotia Community College's Marine Training Program, to pursue future careers in the marine industry.
- Quebec Region: Installed emergency tow kits on four Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers based in Québec City. Additionally, made the Canadian Coast Guard's Regional Operations Centres in Quebec, which monitor and assess marine incidents (including pollution events), operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Ontario Region: Funded the removal of over 40 abandoned boats that threaten marine ecosystems, navigation, local economies, and public safety in the region.
- Arctic Region: Invested in a variety of safety equipment and marine infrastructure projects to make Arctic resupply operations more efficient and safer for communities, workers, and the environment.
- Pacific Region: Funded 25 coastal aquatic habitats restoration projects in British Columbia, helping protect species like the Chinook salmon, a priority food source for the Southern Resident killer whale.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. A renewed and expanded Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren.
