About the Northern Low-Impact Shipping Corridors Initiative
Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Northern Low-Impact Shipping Corridors Initiative is building stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities in the Arctic by working to reduce the social and environmental impacts of shipping in the North.
Transport Canada, with support from the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Hydrographic Service, is collaborating with Inuit partners to identify possible adjustments to shipping routes and areas where services (such as aids to navigation) could be improved, and to develop a governance process to support this work on an ongoing basis.
In 2018 and 2019, Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard engaged with over 20 northern partners, including Inuit land claims organizations and governments, impact review boards, planning commissions, hunters and trappers organizations and wildlife management boards.
We focused on building relationships, introducing the initiative, and asking for input. During engagement sessions, participants identified what they wanted included in a governance framework and priority areas for program and service improvements and for vessels to avoid.
Due to COVID-19, the second phase of engagement was delayed until 2022.
In 2023, we began working with land claim organizations to develop a distinctions-based approach that recognizes the rights and unique interests and priorities of partners.
Pilot projects
We are working to develop a pilot project in each region of Inuit Nunangat (the Inuit homeland made-up of Nunavut, parts of the Northwest Territories, parts of northern Quebec and parts of Labrador) that addresses shipping-related concerns in that region. The work on these pilot projects will help us develop and implement a governance process that addresses community concerns and guides processes moving forward. Additional pilot sites may be added as the initiative progresses.
How to get involved
If you have questions or comments, or would like to get involved, please email us: OPPCorridorsPPO@tc.gc.ca.
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Marine shipping in Canada is safer than ever. Our world-leading marine safety system is designed to prevent marine incidents and ship-source pollution, respond quickly and efficiently to marine incidents, and preserve and restores the local environment. #OceansProtectionPlan pic.twitter.com/KTNjtY6au5
— Transport Canada (@Transport_gc) August 14, 2021
