The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has a long and proud history in the North, providing critical services, including icebreaking, resupply of remote communities, aids to navigation, marine search and rescue, environmental response and marine communications and traffic services. These services enable the safe transportation of goods and people, helping Northern communities achieve their social and economic goals. Vessel traffic in the Arctic is evolving, however, due to changing traffic patterns, navigation practices, and vessel types, while existing marine navigation programs and services remain limited.
The Government of Canada, as part of the Economic Action Plan 2015, is investing $22.7 million over five years on a cash basis to provide a foundation to begin addressing the evolving needs of mariners in the North. This suite of targeted investments will support the development of a long-term strategy for the Arctic that will be aligned to current efforts in the southern waters to promote safe shipping and strengthen Canada’s ability to respond to marine pollution incidents:
- $12.1 million over five years on a cash basis and $900,000 ongoing to procure hydrographic equipment and increase the surveying capacity for key Arctic routes (Canadian Hydrographic Service);
- $5.6 million over four years to complete four reviews of marine navigation services and infrastructure, including aids to navigation (Canadian Coast Guard);
- $3.9 million over five years and $500,000 ongoing to enhance the Search and Rescue capacity in Arctic coastal communities (Canadian Coast Guard); and
- $1.0 million over five years to engage local and Aboriginal communities on the marine transportation system in the North (Transport Canada).
Laying the Foundation for Safe and Secure Shipping in the Arctic (Inuktitut version PDF)
