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OCEANS EXPLORATIONS: THE MINISTER'S NATIONAL OCEANS DISCUSSION SERIES

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has partnered with Coastal Zone Canada 2000 to launch a National Oceans Discussion Series entitled Oceans Explorations. It is being sponsored by the Minister to reach out and engage Canadians in building sustainable futures in our oceans. This initiative will establish an annual series of discussion events designed to spark and encourage dialogue among Canadians about emerging oceans issues. Discussion topics to be covered at this year’s Coastal Zone Canada 2000 Conference, from September 17-22, in Saint John, New Brunswick, include: Aboriginal Practices, Oceans Governance, Community-Based Actions and Coastal Health. In addition to live lectures, panels, debates and electronic town hall meetings to be held in centres and coastal communities across Canada, the Series will utilize Web technology to bring the events to national and global audiences.

Canada’s oceans are our heritage and our gift to the future. Oceans Explorations will engage Canadians in critical thinking and open dialogue about new ways of understanding and being responsible for our oceans. In keeping with a commitment to collaborative management, the Minister’s initiative will deliver each discussion event in partnership with Canadian institutions and organizations active in oceans affairs.

The theme of Coastal Zone Canada 2000 Conference, Coastal Stewardship, is also the fitting first annual theme of Oceans Explorations. Stewardship is an immense challenge that will require imagination, dialogue and collective wisdom. The addresses in this initial series, to take place at Coastal Zone Canada 2000 Conference, will emphasize to Canadians the importance of working together from our coastlines out to our deepest waters.