July 19, 2022
Bowen Island, British Columbia
Canadians are proud of our oceans. With the longest coastline in the world, marine and coastal areas are essential to our livelihoods and our economy right across the country. Since it was launched in 2016, the Oceans Protection Plan has strengthened protections for our coasts and wildlife, improved marine traffic and incident management, and advanced partnerships with Indigenous communities.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. With the new investment of $2 billion over nine years, announced in Budget 2022, Canada will establish 15 new measures to expand ocean protection initiatives to more regions and better proactively combat emerging threats to marine safety, while continuing or expanding 39 existing initiatives. This new funding is in addition to the $1.5 billion initially announced in 2016 and brings the total invested in support of the plan to $3.5 billion.
The renewed and expanded plan will help make further progress to:
- Enhance the protection and restoration of vulnerable marine ecosystems and wildlife;
- Improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of Canada’s marine supply chains and mitigate their impacts on the environment, including by advancing research on marine pollution, ecosystems, and wildlife;
- Better manage marine traffic navigation off our coasts and marine incidents of all types; and
- Advance partnerships and training opportunities for Indigenous and coastal communities to incorporate their expertise and experiences in various aspects of marine safety and ecosystem protection.
The renewed and expanded plan builds on the first, successful iteration, which delivered real results on key promises across the country. For example, since 2016, the government re-opened important incident response centers, like the Canadian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre St. John’s and the new permanent station in Victoria. We also took action to protect species at risk, including the Southern Resident Killer Whale and funded initiatives to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. A renewed and expanded Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren.
Quotes
“From keeping plastic pollution out of our waters to protecting more of our coasts than ever before, Canada is a world leader in marine safety and conservation. By expanding the Oceans Protection Plan and continuing to work with Indigenous and coastal communities across the country, we will accelerate our efforts to ensure Canada’s marine and coastal areas remain healthy, clean, and safe for generations to come.”
“Canada’s coastlines are critical to our communities, our economy, and our environment. Our government’s renewed investment and expansion of the Oceans Protection Plan means we will continue to make marine shipping safer, protect marine species and ecosystems, and provide greater opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to direct how their traditional coasts and waterways are protected. Our government is looking forward to continuing this important work to protect our coasts for the benefit of all Canadians.”
“Waterways and coastlines have always played a crucial role in the lives of Canadians. This next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan is continuing the important work of ensuring Canada’s three oceans are healthy, protected, and safe. From responding to marine emergencies to restoring aquatic ecosystems, we’ll be working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities to protect Canada’s mariners, waterways, and shorelines now, and for the generations to come.”
“With the longest coastline in the world, Canadians understand the importance of preserving the health of our oceans for future generations. Expanding and renewing the Oceans Protection Plan is a critical part of our collaborative effort to reverse habitat and biodiversity loss, conserve more of our coasts and waterways, support vital jobs and local economies and build more resilient coastal communities.”
“Canada’s beautiful oceans are vital to our future in so many ways, from fighting climate change to maintaining a sustainable way of life. Today’s renewed Ocean’s Protection Plan gives Environment and Climate Change Canada the tools to continue to study priority species, keep our shorelines pristine and reduce oil spill impacts. Our government has accomplished a lot in just a few years, but there is more work to do.”
Quick Facts
- Canada’s ocean economy accounts for approximately $31.65 billion annually in GDP and employs approximately 300,000 Canadians across various industries.
- Marine transportation is among the safest and most cost-effective low-emission ways to move goods.
- Since its launch in 2016, over 50 initiatives have been implemented under the Oceans Protection Plan. These include:
- Opening six Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue stations in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, and a seasonal inshore rescue boat station in Nunavut, to improve our ability to respond to marine incidents;
- Significantly increasing emergency response capacity with an Indigenous-led Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in British Columbia and the expansion of the Auxiliary across the Arctic, emergency tow kits, new vessels, equipment, and training on all three coasts;
- Funding over 60 projects across Canada to restore coastal aquatic habitats that support species like salmon and the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale;
- Funding 500 projects to remove and dispose of abandoned boats across Canada and making it illegal to abandon your boat in Canada’s waters;
- Supporting 750 individuals, including women, Indigenous Peoples, and Northerners, to graduate from specialized training to qualify for jobs in the marine industry;
- Modernizing Canada’s Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund so that the polluter pays and making unlimited compensation available to those affected by an oil spill;
- Forming a bilateral agreement between Canada and 17 Pacific North Coast First Nations to advance collaborative oceans governance and management of British Columbia’s North Coast; and
- Holding on average one session per day with Indigenous communities across Canada to plan, develop, or execute the Oceans Protection Plan priorities and actions.
- The implementation of the Oceans Protection Plan is a whole-of-government effort, with responsibility shared across Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Health Canada, with support from Public Services and Procurement Canada and Global Affairs Canada.
- Today’s announcement delivers on the commitment set out in Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra’s mandate letter from December 2021, to launch the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan to continue efforts to deliver a world-leading marine safety system, increase protection for marine species and ecosystems, and create stronger partnerships with Indigenous and other coastal communities, while strengthening marine research and science.
- In addition to today’s announcement, the government announced in Budget 2022 its intention to propose amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and other acts, including to enable the proactive management of marine emergencies and cover more types of marine pollution.
Related Product
Associated Links
- Protecting our coasts through the Oceans Protection Plan
- Report to Canadians – Results of the Oceans Protection Plan
The 39th anniversary of Black July:
“Today, we remember those who lost their lives or were displaced during the horrific and violent events of Black July.
“In July 1983, anti-Tamil pogroms erupted in Colombo, following decades of unrest and rising tensions across the country. Known as Black July, these deadly events triggered an armed conflict that lasted 26 years, cost tens of thousands of lives, destroyed homes and businesses owned by Tamils, and sent hundreds of thousands into exile.
“In the months that followed the events of Black July, the Government of Canada implemented a Special Measures program to respond to the violence in Sri Lanka, which helped more than 1,800 Tamils resettle in Canada. I have had the privilege of meeting many Tamil Canadian survivors of Black July and have been moved by their harrowing experiences of loss, displacement, and resilience. Canada is now home to one of the largest Tamil diasporas in the world, and we thank Tamil Canadians for contributing so greatly to making Canada the strong, vibrant, and inclusive place it is today.
“Today, we acknowledge the people of Sri Lanka, who are suffering during this current economic and political crisis. Following the recent election of the new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, by the Sri Lankan parliament, Canada strongly encourages Sri Lanka’s government to promote democracy and human rights and maintain the rule of law as it works to address this crisis, and undertake the necessary reforms for a peaceful, prosperous, and reconciled Sri Lanka. Canada also reiterates the need to ensure that the rights to protest and a free press are protected during these difficult times.
“On this day, our thoughts are with all those who suffered and lost family, friends, and neighbours during Black July and the conflict that followed. We are committed to working together to help build a better future for everyone.”
July 21, 2022
Enfield, Nova Scotia
When we invest in clean energy projects like wind, solar, and hydroelectricity, we deliver on key promises we made to Canadians: clean air, good jobs, and a strong economy. And by working in partnership with Indigenous communities on these projects, we do all of this while advancing reconciliation.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a new federal investment of up to $255 million to deliver clean power to homes across Nova Scotia and create hundreds of good middle-class jobs.
With up to $125 million, new wind energy projects will provide clean power to around 350,000 homes in Nova Scotia, create hundreds of good jobs, and deliver benefits to local Indigenous communities, including jobs and training.
With up to $130 million, we’re also investing so that Nova Scotia Power can install batteries to store clean energy at four sites across the province. These batteries will help provide reliable electricity to homes and businesses and support the closure of coal-fired power plants, delivering cleaner air for Nova Scotians. With this investment, Nova Scotia will have one of the largest battery systems in North America.
This new funding, in combination with the Atlantic Loop, will build a more integrated clean energy grid in Nova Scotia and support our ambitious and achievable climate goals. We will continue to make smart investments to deliver clean air, good jobs, and a strong economy for generations to come.
Quotes
“Today’s investments in clean energy projects in Nova Scotia will cut pollution and create good jobs. When we power our homes and businesses with clean electricity, we deliver cleaner air and a better future for our kids and grandkids.”
“Our government is delivering investments that will support Indigenous communities and all Nova Scotians in developing a cleaner electricity grid while creating sustainable jobs. Today’s announcement is an important step toward our goal of achieving a net-zero-emitting electricity system by 2035.”
Quick Facts
- The projects are part of a competitive federal and provincial process. The allocation and exact amounts of federal funding will be confirmed once this process is complete and agreements are finalized.
- Canada has a goal of achieving a net-zero electricity system by 2035, as outlined in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy that was launched this spring.
- The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan is an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector approach for Canada to reach its new climate target of cutting emissions by at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and to put us on track toward our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Canada already has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world, with nearly 83 per cent of the electricity that Canadians use coming from non-emitting sources.
- Almost 75 per cent of Nova Scotia’s electricity is currently generated from fossil fuels, including 47 per cent from coal. Today’s funding will help the province meet its goal of achieving 80 per cent renewable energy for its electricity needs by 2030.
- Moving away from coal-fired electricity has helped improve public health in Canada and around the world by creating cleaner, more breathable air.
- To cut pollution from electricity, the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program aims to support electrical grid modernization projects across the country. The program focuses on replacing fossil-fuel generated electricity with renewables.
- This spring, the Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada, developed by the federal government with the Atlantic provincial governments and their respective utilities, with input from the Government of Quebec and Hydro-Québec as observers, was released. The roadmap is a collective Atlantic Canadian vision for an interconnected clean power grid that would serve as the foundation for a competitive, electrified economy across the Atlantic region.
- In addition to today’s announcement, the Government of Canada, the governments of the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec, and their respective utilities continue to work to advance the Atlantic Loop to expand electrical interconnections and move clean power among the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec.
Related Product
Associated Links
- Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy
- Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada
- Budget 2022
July 19, 2022
Bowen Island, British Columbia
Canadians are proud of our oceans. With the longest coastline in the world, marine and coastal areas are essential to our livelihoods and our economy right across the country. Since it was launched in 2016, the Oceans Protection Plan has strengthened protections for our coasts and wildlife, improved marine traffic and incident management, and advanced partnerships with Indigenous communities.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. With the new investment of $2 billion over nine years, announced in Budget 2022, Canada will establish 15 new measures to expand ocean protection initiatives to more regions and better proactively combat emerging threats to marine safety, while continuing or expanding 39 existing initiatives. This new funding is in addition to the $1.5 billion initially announced in 2016 and brings the total invested in support of the plan to $3.5 billion.
The renewed and expanded plan will help make further progress to:
- Enhance the protection and restoration of vulnerable marine ecosystems and wildlife;
- Improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of Canada’s marine supply chains and mitigate their impacts on the environment, including by advancing research on marine pollution, ecosystems, and wildlife;
- Better manage marine traffic navigation off our coasts and marine incidents of all types; and
- Advance partnerships and training opportunities for Indigenous and coastal communities to incorporate their expertise and experiences in various aspects of marine safety and ecosystem protection.
The renewed and expanded plan builds on the first, successful iteration, which delivered real results on key promises across the country. For example, since 2016, the government re-opened important incident response centers, like the Canadian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre St. John’s and the new permanent station in Victoria. We also took action to protect species at risk, including the Southern Resident Killer Whale and funded initiatives to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. A renewed and expanded Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren.
Quotes
“From keeping plastic pollution out of our waters to protecting more of our coasts than ever before, Canada is a world leader in marine safety and conservation. By expanding the Oceans Protection Plan and continuing to work with Indigenous and coastal communities across the country, we will accelerate our efforts to ensure Canada’s marine and coastal areas remain healthy, clean, and safe for generations to come.”
“Canada’s coastlines are critical to our communities, our economy, and our environment. Our government’s renewed investment and expansion of the Oceans Protection Plan means we will continue to make marine shipping safer, protect marine species and ecosystems, and provide greater opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to direct how their traditional coasts and waterways are protected. Our government is looking forward to continuing this important work to protect our coasts for the benefit of all Canadians.”
“Waterways and coastlines have always played a crucial role in the lives of Canadians. This next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan is continuing the important work of ensuring Canada’s three oceans are healthy, protected, and safe. From responding to marine emergencies to restoring aquatic ecosystems, we’ll be working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities to protect Canada’s mariners, waterways, and shorelines now, and for the generations to come.”
“With the longest coastline in the world, Canadians understand the importance of preserving the health of our oceans for future generations. Expanding and renewing the Oceans Protection Plan is a critical part of our collaborative effort to reverse habitat and biodiversity loss, conserve more of our coasts and waterways, support vital jobs and local economies and build more resilient coastal communities.”
“Canada’s beautiful oceans are vital to our future in so many ways, from fighting climate change to maintaining a sustainable way of life. Today’s renewed Ocean’s Protection Plan gives Environment and Climate Change Canada the tools to continue to study priority species, keep our shorelines pristine and reduce oil spill impacts. Our government has accomplished a lot in just a few years, but there is more work to do.”
Quick Facts
- Canada’s ocean economy accounts for approximately $31.65 billion annually in GDP and employs approximately 300,000 Canadians across various industries.
- Marine transportation is among the safest and most cost-effective low-emission ways to move goods.
- Since its launch in 2016, over 50 initiatives have been implemented under the Oceans Protection Plan. These include:
- Opening six Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue stations in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, and a seasonal inshore rescue boat station in Nunavut, to improve our ability to respond to marine incidents;
- Significantly increasing emergency response capacity with an Indigenous-led Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in British Columbia and the expansion of the Auxiliary across the Arctic, emergency tow kits, new vessels, equipment, and training on all three coasts;
- Funding over 60 projects across Canada to restore coastal aquatic habitats that support species like salmon and the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale;
- Funding 500 projects to remove and dispose of abandoned boats across Canada and making it illegal to abandon your boat in Canada’s waters;
- Supporting 750 individuals, including women, Indigenous Peoples, and Northerners, to graduate from specialized training to qualify for jobs in the marine industry;
- Modernizing Canada’s Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund so that the polluter pays and making unlimited compensation available to those affected by an oil spill;
- Forming a bilateral agreement between Canada and 17 Pacific North Coast First Nations to advance collaborative oceans governance and management of British Columbia’s North Coast; and
- Holding on average one session per day with Indigenous communities across Canada to plan, develop, or execute the Oceans Protection Plan priorities and actions.
- The implementation of the Oceans Protection Plan is a whole-of-government effort, with responsibility shared across Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Health Canada, with support from Public Services and Procurement Canada and Global Affairs Canada.
- Today’s announcement delivers on the commitment set out in Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra’s mandate letter from December 2021, to launch the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan to continue efforts to deliver a world-leading marine safety system, increase protection for marine species and ecosystems, and create stronger partnerships with Indigenous and other coastal communities, while strengthening marine research and science.
- In addition to today’s announcement, the government announced in Budget 2022 its intention to propose amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and other acts, including to enable the proactive management of marine emergencies and cover more types of marine pollution.
Related Product
Associated Links
- Protecting our coasts through the Oceans Protection Plan
- Report to Canadians – Results of the Oceans Protection Plan
