Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Program recipients announced
News release
July 17, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Coast Guard
Today, the Canadian Coast Guard announced over $1.6 million in funding for 19 communities through the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Program (ICBVP). The program provides funding to coastal Indigenous communities to buy boats and related marine safety equipment, to support the communities’ ability to respond to maritime search and rescue incidents as part of the Canadian marine response system.
Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is committed to on-the-water safety and bolstering community-based marine response in remote locations. The ICBVP invests in building, enhancing, and sustaining capacity for Indigenous communities to respond to maritime search and rescues. To date, 58 Indigenous communities or organizations across 10 provinces and territories have received over $21 million in funding to buy or retrofit boats and related safety equipment to support their membership in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA).
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. Working together, Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, scientists, and governments are protecting mariners and the environment, growing our economy, supporting good jobs across the country, and delivering real results. Funding from the Oceans Protection Plan helped the Canadian Coast Guard establish new search and rescue stations and stand up 24/7 operations at Canadian Coast Guard Regional Operations Centres, which support better monitoring and coordination for marine incidents.
Quotes
“Strong partnerships with Indigenous communities strengthen maritime safety across Canada. By supporting Indigenous-led search and rescue capacity and recognizing the invaluable knowledge and leadership of Indigenous partners, we are helping build safer waterways and more resilient coastal communities for generations to come."
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Defence
“Our collaboration with Indigenous communities is essential to marine safety and security from coast to coast to coast. Listening to, working with, and learning from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners keeps our waters and coasts safe and healthy, while simultaneously advancing reconciliation and bolstering Canada’s marine response system.”
Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada dedicated $3.5 billion to the Oceans Protection Plan, the largest investment Canada has ever made to protect its coasts and waterways.
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Under the Oceans Protection Plan, the Canadian Coast Guard launched the ICBVP in 2017 to strengthen coastal communities’ response capacity for maritime search and rescue activities.
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This year’s recipients are:
- British Columbia: Ahousaht First Nation, Haida Nation, Heiltsuk First Nation, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' (Kyuquot/Cheklesahht) First Nation, Namgis First Nation, Nisga’a Nation, Nuxalk Nation, Old Massett Village Council, Quatsino First Nation, and Wuikinuxv First Nation;
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Makkovimuit Trust Inc. (Makkovik) and Nunatsiavut Government and Makkovimuit Trust Inc. (Nain);
- Northwest Territories: Hay River Marine Rescue Society;
- Nunavut: Cambridge Bay Coast Guard Auxiliary, Iqaluit Marine Search and Rescue, Kugluktuk Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Rankin Inlet Marine Search and Rescue; and
- Quebec: Arqivik Landholding Corportaion (Tasiujaq) and Qiniqtiq Landholding Corporation of Kangiqsualujjuaq
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In June 2026, the newest vessel purchased under the 2025 ICBVP funding entered into service in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec, where responders can now expand search and rescue capabilities in Eastern Ungava Bay.
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The CCGA is a national non-profit organization that bolsters the Government of Canada's maritime response capacity by answering around 25 percent of marine assistance calls annually, with over 4,000 volunteers and access to about 1,000 vessels.
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Contacts
Alice Hansen
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: Alice.Hansen2@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca