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VANCOUVER – Today, the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister
of Fisheries and Oceans, announced new activities to significantly improve the health
of Canada’s oceans as part of Canada’s National Water Strategy.
A new federal investment of $42.5 million over three years will fund activities
to conserve and protect Canadian oceans. This funding is in addition to the $19.0
million over two years announced in the 2007 Budget, bringing the five-year commitment
for the health of the oceans to $61.5 million.
"Today’s funding is further proof of our government’s commitment to the health
of our oceans and protecting our environment," said Minister Hearn. "This investment
will strengthen Canada’s conservation and protection activities in its three oceans
and will ensure they are healthy for the benefit of current users and generations
to come."
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will receive $23.2 million to support its valuable
protection and conservation work. A few of the key initiatives include, creating
four new national Oceans Centres of Expertise, enhancing our spill response capacity
and emergency planning in the Arctic Ocean and conducting scientific research for
the designation of new marine protected areas.
This new funding will strengthen our ability to prevent, detect and reduce pollution,
increase protection for ecologically significant marine areas through nine new marine
protected areas, and enhance cooperation with domestic and international partners
for more integrated oceans management. The Government of Canada will also be increasing
its research and protection activities in Canada’s Arctic waters.
Environment Canada also announced an activity under the National Water Strategy
today to protect seabirds in the marine waters around the Scott Islands. "The health
of our oceans has a huge impact on the health of our environment and Canadians,"
said the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment. "The Health of the
Oceans initiative is one more way the Government of Canada is taking to demonstrate
this Government’s commitment to Canadians and their environment."
"As the Prime Minister said this summer, Canada’s New Government has a plan to
strengthen and realize the vast potential of Canada’s North," said the Honourable
Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor
for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "This initiative to ensure the health of the Arctic
Ocean, taken together with other leading edge science such as the work being done
for International Polar Year, is a clear demonstration of our commitment to this
plan."
Indian and Northern Affairs will receive $175,000 to support Canada’s role in
the Arctic Council's Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA) of projected shipping
activities and associated environmental, social and economic impacts.
The Government of Canada is funding projects that will improve the health of
Canada’s three oceans and protect their long-term sustainability. Under the National
Water Strategy, Canada will work with its provincial, territorial Aboriginal and
international partners to co-operatively manage its marine environment.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Kirsten Ruecker
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
(604) 666-0903 |
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008 or
1-888-908-8008 |
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Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
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NR-HQ-07-51E |
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