Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a historic $1.2 billion investment aimed at strengthening ocean conservation and protection efforts across Canada.
The funding will support increased ocean monitoring, marine science, ecosystem protection, and marine emergency preparedness, according to the federal government. Ottawa says work is already underway on a number of initiatives.
Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson highlighted that “healthy oceans depend on the people who protect them.”
New investments intended to accelerate planned work include:
- $740 million over the next four years to strengthen ocean conservation.
- $136 million over the next four years to protect marine life by building on the recent renewal and enhancement of whale protection measures.
- $186 million to strengthen Indigenous partnerships and conservation efforts on the West Coast.
Speaking Tuesday in Vancouver, Carney said the investment will help Canada build stronger international partnerships at a time of growing global uncertainty.
He said, “Canada has what the world wants. There are a host of strong partners around the world that want to do more with Canada, and Canada is going to build in the right way. We’re going to build in full partnership.”
So far, the government’s landmark initiatives include a new nature strategy called A Force of Nature, designed to protect 30 per cent of the country’s oceans by 2030.
Carney also emphasized the importance of reliable international relationships in addressing shared challenges.
“The reality is the world is more dangerous and divided, and energy security, food security, information security, and financial security are all best addressed through reliable partnerships, and Canada is a reliable partner.”
The announcement comes ahead of the 12th Our Ocean Conference, which will be held in Halifax next May, where governments, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and coastal communities are expected to meet and advance shared ocean conservation goals.
To date, the Government of Canada has invested $3.2 billion in new systems, research, and personnel that will protect our oceans and marine life.
