December 5, 2018 Ottawa, Ontario Transport Canada

Indigenous coastal communities share ties to Canada's oceans that span generations. They value them as a source of livelihood, food security, and transportation routes. The Oceans Protection Plan is providing Indigenous peoples with new opportunities to protect, preserve, and restore Canada's oceans and sea routes. That is why the Government of Canada, is supporting Indigenous and local communities' engagement in activities being delivered under the Ocean Protection Plan.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced the new Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program. This program ensures closer collaboration between the Government of Canada and Indigenous communities by providing funding for longer-term engagement and discussions relating to partnership activities. Applicants can submit their proposals to ensure they are well represented in the development of the Oceans Protection Plan.

Launched in November 2016, the five year, $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada's coasts and waterways. Over the past two years, the Government of Canada has invested in hundreds of projects that are making our marine safety system stronger, and protecting our coastal environments and marine species more than ever before. Based on the latest science and technology, Indigenous partnerships and collaboration, these projects bring us closer to healthier, cleaner and safer oceans.