NR-HQ-00-29E

Dhaliwal announces Advisory Council on Oceans

June 8, 2000

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced his intention to form a Minister’s Advisory Council on Oceans.

The nine-member council will provide the Minister with expert advice on broad strategic issues relating to oceans, establishing strategic alliances among oceans stakeholders and ways of collaborating on oceans issues.

"On this Oceans Day, I am proud to appoint Dr. Arthur J. Hanson and Mr. Geoff L. Holland, distinguished Canadians who are internationally recognized as oceans experts, as my Oceans Ambassadors," Minister Dhaliwal stated. "I am very pleased that they have agreed to participate in the development of my Advisory Council on Oceans."

The Minister’s Advisory Council will provide independent expert advice, in particular on:

• Balancing economic, environmental and social goals for sustainable development;
• Managing increasing complexity and diversity of oceans use; and
• Engaging communities and stakeholders in making decisions that affect them.

Dr. Hanson and Mr. Holland will talk to Canadians across the country to develop a list of potential members to sit on the council for a period up to three years. Minister Dhaliwal will announce the Council and the appointment of members at the Coastal Zone Canada 2000 conference in Saint John, New Brunswick, September 17.

"There are an increasing number and diversity of oceans stakeholders and they want a greater say in how the three oceans bordering Canada are managed," said Minister Dhaliwal. "Managing our oceans and the diversity of oceans use is a complex task. That is why we must engage communities and stakeholders in making decisions that affect them. The Advisory Council will help us do that."

Members will be selected on the basis of merit and the ability to bring oceans-related knowledge, expertise and understanding of regional and sectoral interests, practices and trends.

The development of the council embodies the spirit of the Oceans Act, which encourages a collaborative approach to oceans management among governments, Aboriginal groups, coastal communities, stakeholders and other Canadians.

"I believe in keeping with the spirit of the Oceans Act, that it will give interested Canadians a chance to provide me with important advice and recommendations," the Minister stated.

Biographical Notes are attached.

• Dr. Arthur J. Hanson
• Geoff Holland