Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) applauds the Government of Canada for putting the ocean at the top of its agenda.

Yesterday, 7 November 2016, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $1.5 billion national Oceans Protection Plan that outlines measures to implement world-leading ocean safety and monitoring systems and strengthen engagement with Indigenous and coastal communities. This historic initiative will protect Canada’s ocean and coastal ecosystems for generations to come.

On Tuesday, 8 November, Jonathan Wilkinson, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, visited ONC to speak to the announcement of the new Oceans Protection Plan and how it relates to Victoria and Vancouver Island.

Jonathan Wilkinson, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary to Environment and Climate Change at ONC on the University of Victoria campus.

Vancouver Island is home to ONC’s world-leading ocean observatories and technology, and to high-tech ocean companies that support the global ocean economic market. We anticipate that these major partners will take a leading role in this new ocean protection initiative.

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“Canada’s economy, environment and history are inextricably linked to our coastal regions. The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan unveiled today will make Canada a world-leader in marine safety and takes a powerful step toward co-management of our coasts with Indigenous and coastal communities, together making sure they remain healthy, clean, and safe for generations to come.”

—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

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ONC President and CEO Kate Moran and the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, celebrate Canada’s new national Ocean Protection Plan in Vancouver, 7 November 2016.

This announcement shows that Canada is committed to a smarter ocean that will ensure sustainable coastal ecosystems. It’s an investment in Canada’s global leadership in ocean observation with a true partnership among government, Indigenous communities, academia, and our growing ocean industry. Together we will inform future ocean and coastal policy decisions.

—Kate Moran, President & CEO, Ocean Networks Canada

“The Oceans Protection Plan will lead to better responses when incidents occur off our coasts. And most importantly, it will take steps to ensure marine incidents do not happen in the first place. The Plan will help create economic opportunities for Canadians today, including jobs for the middle-class and for Indigenous Canadians, while protecting our waters for future generations to enjoy this extraordinary place.”

— Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

Left to right: Jonathan Wilkinson, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary for Environment and Climate Change; Rachael Scarth, Associate Vice President Research Operations, University of Victoria and Kate Moran, President and CEO, Ocean Networks Canada.

ONC, an initiative of the University of Victoria, monitors the west and east coasts of Canada and the Arctic to continuously gather data in real-time for scientific research, helping communities, governments, and industry to make informed decisions about our future.

Government of Canada News Release:

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/11/07/prime-minister-canada-announces-national-oceans-protection-plan

Related Stories:

• “The ocean economy: Canada could be a global superpower.” Kate Moran’s Op-Ed in Globe and Mail - 10 October 2016.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada partners with ONC for a sustainable and healthy ocean future – 26 October 2016.
• Government of Canada invests in Smart OceansTM – 14 October 2014.
• Smart Ocean™: From Sensors to Decisions – 15 October 2014.