Minister Alghabra marks Day of the Seafarer

Transcript

Bonjour à tous. Hello everyone.

As a trading country with the longest coastline in the world, Canada relies every day on maritime trade and seafarers.

And today, for the Day of the Seafarer, we celebrate you, the seafarers.

On célèbre les marins du Canada.

Since the start of the global pandemic, our government has supported the well-being of seafarers by:

  • facilitating safe access to shore leave,
  • assisting with the safe and timely return home for international seafarers,
  • and promoting safety precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 aboard vessels.

So many important sectors across our economy depend on maritime shipping for exports.

And of course, we depend on a significant amount of imports that arrive through Canadian ports, as well.

All of this is possible thanks to the mariners dedicated to safe shipping between ports across the globe.

I would like to thank the International Maritime Organization for highlighting mariners’ work on the Day of the Seafarer.

And, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my thanks to all mariners for the work you do – especially those who call Canada home, and those whose work brings them to Canadian waters and to Canadian ports.

I wish you good health, and fair winds.

Bonne Journée du marin à tous!