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VANCOUVER — Prime Minister Mark Carney is announcing a $1.2-billion investment aimed at protecting Canada’s oceans as the federal government expands West Coast trade infrastructure and develops a broader national ocean strategy.
Carney says the funding will strengthen marine monitoring, science, conservation, emergency preparedness and Indigenous partnerships as Ottawa works to grow Canada’s ocean economy.
The largest portion, more than $740 million over four years, will go toward ocean conservation and marine safety measures.
That includes expanding Canadian Coast Guard monitoring and search-and-rescue capacity, extending radio and radar coverage, improving nearshore forecasting and strengthening marine pollution response.
The government also plans to modernize marine inspections and conservation enforcement, including new equipment and technology for front-line officers.
Another $136 million over four years is earmarked for marine mammal protection, including oil spill response planning and efforts to reduce underwater noise from vessels.
Ottawa is also committing $186 million to the Northern Shelf Bioregion Reconciliation Framework Agreement, supporting Indigenous partnerships, conservation, waterway management and emergency preparedness in the Great Bear Sea region.
Carney says the investments are intended to ensure environmental protection keeps pace with major infrastructure development, including expansion at the Port of Vancouver and Roberts Bank Terminal 2.
The funding builds on previous federal investments in ocean protection, including programs aimed at protecting salmon, whales and marine ecosystems.
Ottawa says it has now committed $3.2 billion to new ocean protection systems, research and personnel.
The government is also working toward conserving 30 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2030.
Two additional parts of the national ocean strategy, focused on securing Canada’s waters and expanding the ocean economy, are expected to be released in the coming months.
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