Since 2016, the Government of Canada has been investing in the Oceans Protection Plan and building relationships with coastal and Indigenous communities.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we get real results.
As part of our ongoing commitment to support and improve our marine safety system, here are some examples of the work we’ve done from 2016 to 2025.
On this page
- Stronger partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities
- Safer marine traffic
- Better ways to prevent and respond to incidents
- More protected coastal ecosystems
- A stronger scientific evidence base
- Connect with us
Stronger partnerships with Indigenous and coastal communities
Training the next generation of mariners
Over 1,700 students have graduated from the Marine Training Program in B.C., Nova Scotia, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. This is helping to fill major gaps while providing jobs for underrepresented groups, like Indigenous Peoples, Northerners, and women in coastal and northern communities. Learn about a few of the program's recent graduates.
Increasing Indigenous-led, local emergency response
Over 450 Indigenous and coastal community members received training in 2024-2025 to help them respond to marine emergencies and environmental incidents. This means faster, more effective local response and more protection for people and Canadian waters. Watch our video on the Indigenous search and rescue training program.
Building relationships and strengthening local decision-making
We created the Victoria Island Waterways Safety Committee to bring together Indigenous Peoples and community members to tackle risks like oil spills and underwater noise. The committee also publishes an annual Notice to Mariners, which requires vessels to slow down to a safe speed if they come across caribou or people on the sea ice. Learn more about the committee and how they’re protecting the environment and traditions.
Safer marine traffic
Strengthening emergency preparedness plans
We updated the National Place of Refuge Contingency Plan, which gives local decision-makers clearer, faster guidance on where to bring a vessel in distress. This improves Canada’s ability to protect coastal communities, the environment, and the economy when marine incidents happen.
Improving access to essential goods and resupply
With an investment of over $57 million in sealift and resupply operations, including pipeline replacements and more storage for goods, Canada has made operations in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Nunatsiavut (Inuit region of Labrador) safer and more efficient.
Learn about the impact of sealift operations in the Arctic and how it helps communities and businesses to have more reliable access to goods and essential services.
Making Arctic navigation safer and smarter
By surveying more than 147,000 km of the Arctic and creating 176 modern electronic navigational charts in key areas in Arctic waters, Canada is making these areas safer to navigate, improving community planning, and making supply chains more efficient. Learn how the Canadian Hydrographic Service is improving navigation for the future of our waterways.
Better ways to prevent and respond to incidents
Saving lives and responding to incidents
On an average day, the Canadian Coast Guard coordinates 18 search and rescue incidents, helps 47 people, and saves 13 lives. This clearly shows how Canada’s marine safety system works around the clock to protect people and communities on the water. Learn how the Canadian Coast Guard is making a difference.
Empowering local search and rescue response
We’re supporting 57 coastal communities with funding for search and rescue boats and equipment so local responders have the right tools to save lives, protect mariners, and make their communities more resilient. Learn about one West Coast community that celebrated the arrival of new boats.
Investing in technology
We co-developed a web-based geographical information system with 13 Indigenous communities which now supports over 69 Indigenous communities across Canada. This shared tool improves local marine safety, helps communities monitor and protect the environment, and makes sure that decisions are informed by both local knowledge and modern technology. Learn how the Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness app is making a difference for coastal and Indigenous communities.
More protected coastal ecosystems
Cleaning up Canada’s coasts
From 2024-2025, we removed more than 360 wrecked, hazardous, and abandoned vessels from our waterways. This reduced navigational risks, improved local ecosystems and supported marine life, and gave coastal communities safer, healthier shorelines. Here is one of many stories on how we’re cleaning up coastlines.
Restoring ecosystems
We completed 45 projects to tackle key environmental pressures on Canada’s coastal and marine ecosystems. These projects are reviving weakened habitats, strengthening ecological resilience, and building meaningful partnerships with communities. Learn more about the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund.
Protecting marine life from noise pollution
We funded projects across Canada to research and manage the impact of underwater noise from human activities on marine life, so that whales, fish, and other marine species can thrive in healthier, quieter oceans. Learn how we're addressing underwater noise.
A stronger scientific evidence base
Working with Indigenous Peoples to protect the environment
We co-developed Indigenous-led monitoring programs that reflect the vision, values, and priorities of Indigenous communities. These programs deepen our understanding of marine birds, species at risk and their habitats, as well as strengthens joint decision-making and improves communities’ ability to prepare for, and respond to oil spills. Learn more about Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk.
Building knowledge on oil spill preparedness and response
We invested in 28 projects under the Multi-Partner Research Initiative to advance oil spill science. This work is improving Canada’s ability to predict, prevent, and respond to spills, and is helping us make sure that coastal communities, ecosystems, and marine industries are better protected. Learn more about our research and programs.
Connect with us
If you would like to learn more about how we’re protecting our coasts and the incredible work being done across the country, subscribe to our quarterly Oceans Protection Plan e-newsletter.
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