CANADA COMMITS TO GROWING THE BLUE ECONOMY

Canada commits to growing the blue economy at home and around the globe

As a member of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, along with thirteen other heads of state or government, announced Canada’s endorsement of the Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: a Vision for Protection, Production and Prosperity on December 2, 2020.

Transformations outlines a set of priority ocean actions that countries can take to build a sustainable blue economy across five areas: ocean wealth, ocean health, ocean equity, ocean knowledge, and ocean finance, as well as a commitment to sustainably manage 100 percent of the ocean area under national jurisdiction by 2025, guided by sustainable ocean plans.

Today, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, participated in a national event to reinforce Canada’s commitment to the sustainable ocean economy. The virtual panel discussion entitled, How Ocean Protection Can Fuel a New Blue Economy and Drive Prosperity with the Ocean Frontier Institute, centered around Canada’s significant potential to grow its own blue economy and how it can drive sustainable growth.

In support of the endorsement and the Charlevoix Blueprint for Healthy Oceans, Seas and Resilient Coastal Communities, the Minister also announced the Government of Canada is providing $4M in funding to the World Bank PROBLUE fund to assist developing countries in producing sustainable ocean plans, bringing Canada’s total support for PROBLUE to $69 million and maintaining Canada’s position as the fund’s current top donor.

The Minister also announced the Government of Canada’s plan to engage with Canadians to develop a blue economy strategy, beginning early in the new year. The strategy will outline a future vision for Canada’s ocean-related sectors and guide future government actions and investments toward the goal of a sustainable, ocean economy. The Government of Canada will be consulting widely with the provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, industry, conservationists, and all Canadians in the development of the Blue Economy Strategy.

Building on the Transformations ocean action plan, seizing the opportunity of the blue economy will help Canada build back better – bluer – through fishing, marine transportation, shipbuilding, energy, tourism and recreation, and other ocean industries. With the world’s longest coastline, Canada has a unique opportunity to be a world leader in developing a sustainable blue economy.

Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, said: “As an ocean nation, the strength of Canada’s economy depends on the health of our oceans. A stronger, more sustainable ocean economy will create new jobs, strengthen our food supply chain, and protect our ocean resources for generations to come. Our Blue Economy Strategy will chart a clear path for Canadians toward a future that is driven by ocean protection and prosperity”