Backgrounder
Canada is committed to meeting its international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity to conserve at least 17 percent of our country’s land and freshwater, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas by 2020.
Budget 2018 includes historic investments in nature, conservation and science
- Canada is committed to meeting its international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (Pathway to Canada Target 1) to conserve at least 17 percent of our country’s land and freshwater, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas by 2020.
- In 2015, we promised to protect 5% of Canada’s oceans by 2017 – and we delivered. We now recognize 7.75% of our marine and coastal areas as protected, up from less than 1% two years ago.
- The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada's coasts and waterways. Through this plan, the Government of Canada is creating a world-leading marine safety system. This work is being done in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples, local stakeholders and coastal communities.
Launch of Oceans Youth Innovation Challenge seeks global solutions to improve ocean health
- The G7 Oceans Youth Innovation Challenge invites eligible participants - youth aged 18 to 25 from G7 countries - to respond to the following question on Twitter, using the hashtag #myoceans2050: "What is your vision for healthy and productive oceans in 2050? What innovative solutions would you recommend be adopted to reach this goal?”
- The challenge will run until May 15, 2018. The best two submissions, one from Canada and one from another G7 country, will be selected by a panel of youth judges.
- The winners will be paired with an ocean mentor from Canada and invited to present their idea at the G7 joint ministerial meeting on oceans later this year.
New Parks Canada research vessel commissioned
- The RV David Thompson, Parks Canada’s new research vessel was named after David Thompson who was one of the greatest explorers and cartographers and is known for mapping most of western Canada. The vessel will be the main platform for the largest and most important underwater archeology undertaking in Canadian history, as Parks Canada continues its exploration of the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. It will also allow Parks Canada to conduct other important archeological and scientific research.
