With the longest coastline in the world, keeping our oceans safe and clean is a top priority for the Government of Canada. Since its launch in 2016, the Oceans Protection Plan—the largest investment ever made to protect our oceans and keep our coastlines clean—has led to over 50 initiatives and the completion of more than 300 projects to keep our waters safe and clean from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

“Over the past six years, the Oceans Protection Plan has made marine shipping safer, increased protections for vulnerable marine ecosystems and species, and improved how we respond to marine incidents. As part of this next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan, we are ready to build on this good work—together with Indigenous Peoples, industry, coastal communities, and scientists—to keep our oceans and coastlines safe and environmentally sound for generations to come."

The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport

“Through the Oceans Protection Plan, so much has already been accomplished because of vital partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, coastal communities, scientists, and industry. The next phase ensures we can continue the important work of protecting Canada’s oceans.”

The Honourable Joyce Murray
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“Oceans are vital to our future in many ways, from fighting climate change to providing a sustainable way of life. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have been stewards of land and water for generations, and their Traditional Knowledge, leadership and experience is central in Canada’s strategy for protecting and conserving nature. Through the Oceans Protection Plan, we’re working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to learn more about sensitive species and coastal areas so we can better prevent pollution and reduce potential impacts from emergencies.”

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“With the longest coastline in the world, Canadians understand the importance of preserving the health of our oceans for future generations. The results from the last six years are clear and the renewed and expanded Oceans Protection Plan will continue to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of Canada’s marine activities. This includes advancing research on marine pollution, ecosystems, and wildlife, and advancing important partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities. This is a critical part of our collaborative effort to support vital jobs, grow local economies, and build more resilient coastal communities.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Natural Resources

“These new investments will enable us to formally integrate human health considerations when responding to marine incidents to ensure safe waters and healthy coastlines. As we work on the next phase of this important initiative with all of our partners, including Indigenous Peoples, coastal communities, marine industry, and scientists, the Oceans Protection Plan will better prepare Canada to proactively mitigate and respond to marine pollution incidents, while strengthening evidence-based decision-making.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health

• Since 2016, the Government of Canada has dedicated $3.5 billion to the Oceans Protection Plan, making it the largest investment Canada has ever made to protect its coasts and waterways.

• Since its launch, activities under the Oceans Protection Plan have:

  • increased the Canadian Coast Guard presence on all coasts, including modern environmental response equipment, communications tools, radar, new search and rescue stations, and improved infrastructure.
  • improved navigation products and services for mariners in sensitive coastal areas, and high-traffic commercial ports and waterways. These improvements help mariners steer their vessel in a safer manner, using the latest information and technology, including updated charts, weather services, communications and radars.
  • launched the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary with the Ahousaht and Heiltsuk First Nations to provide organized voluntary marine search and rescue services in remote coastal areas of British Columbia.
  • funded 42 Indigenous communities to purchase response boats.
  • co-developed the Enhanced Maritime Situation Awareness local waterways near real-time information system with 13 Indigenous communities
  • trained 4,500 people across Canada on emergency programs.
  • supported over 750 people from underrepresented groups—like women, Indigenous Peoples, and Northerners—with training to find jobs in the marine industry.
  • worked with 78 Indigenous groups to study the impacts of marine shipping on the environment and on Indigenous communities.
  • signed the Reconciliation Framework Agreements For Bioregional Oceans Management and Protection, and the Oceans Protection Plan Commitment to Action and Results, with the First Nations Fisheries Council, to better coordinate and collaborate on ocean management and protection priorities.

• On September 30, 2022, Minister Alghabra announced an investment of $50 million in capacity funding to directly support Indigenous partnerships in the Oceans Protection Plan. 

• The funding announced today is part of the Government of Canada’s Budget 2022 commitment to provide an additional $2 billion to renew the Oceans Protection Plan over nine years to expand its work into new areas.

• Through the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is further improving how Canada responds to marine emergencies by further strengthening partnerships with Indigenous Peoples for the greater protection, preservation and restoration of our shared oceans and waterways.

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Associated links

• Protecting our coasts through the Oceans Protection Plan
• Safer marine traffic
• Better protected coastal ecosystems
• Stronger incident prevention and response
• Stronger partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities
• Report to Canadians - Results of the Oceans Protection Plan
• Budget 2022 Backgrounder: Clean Air and a Strong Economy

Nadine Ramadan
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
nadine.ramadan@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca