The Canadian Coast Guard’s seasonally operated search and rescue stations on the Great Lakes, Georgian Bay, and St. Lawrence River in Ontario are closing on the following dates:
November 30, 2020: Thunder Bay
December 7, 2020: Goderich, Meaford, Tobermory
December 14, 2020: Amherstburg, Cobourg, Kingston, Port Dover, Port Weller
Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is working in partnership with Indigenous coastal communities to improve marine safety and responsible shipping to protect Canada's marine environment.
Icebreakers are an essential component of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet and are fundamental to ensure safe navigation, prevent ice jams and flooding, and maintain shipping routes in Canadian waters. From December to May, Coast Guard icebreakers operate in Atlantic Canada, on the St. Lawrence River, and the Great Lakes. They also operate in the Arctic from May to November to ensure safe navigation in Arctic waters and facilitate the escort of ships to resupply and refuel northern communities. In addition to icebreaking, these vessels are equipped to support other Coast Guard programs such as search and rescue, aids to navigation and environmental response.
The Canadian Coast Guard saves lives at sea, protects the marine environment, supports Canadian sovereignty and security, and maintains shipping routes to keep our economy moving. Ensuring the Coast Guard has reliable, and modern equipment is essential to keeping our waterways safe and open for business. Through its icebreaking program, the Canadian Coast Guard supports safe marine traffic in or around ice-covered waters, ensuring goods and services are delivered to all Canadians.
The Canadian Coast Guard will proceed with the annual closure of its seasonal search and rescue stations in Québec, Tadoussac, Kegaska, Rivière-au-Renard and Havre-Saint-Pierre on November 30th, 2020. The Cap-aux-Meules station will close on December 31st, 2020.
The Canadian Coast Guard plays a vital role in protecting our oceans from coast to coast to coast. Under the Oceans Protection Plan, we’re investing in the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure it has modern equipment needed to respond to environmental spills quickly and effectively. These investments will allow it to continue protecting Canada’s waters, coasts and coastal communities from marine pollution.
The Government of Canada is committed to removing wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels that pose a threat of pollution to the marine environment, impact coastal communities and pose a health and safety risk to Canadians.
The Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary (CN-CGA) commenced on-water operations this fall in the territorial waters of Ahousaht and Heiltsuk First Nations, becoming the first Indigenous-led Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in Canada. CN-CGA response units in Nisga’a, Gitxaala, and Kitasoo/Xai’xais territorial waters will be operational shortly.
Construction has begun on a new 10,800 square foot environmental response depot in Port Hardy, B.C. Funded under the Government of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan, the new facility will strengthen the Canadian Coast Guard’s capacity to respond to marine pollution incidents in the areas of northern Vancouver Island and the central coast of British Columbia.
Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is working in partnership with Indigenous coastal communities to improve marine safety and responsible shipping to protect Canada's marine environment.