Transport Canada hosted the annual Pacific Region Oceans Protection Plan Dialogue Forum from November 1 to 3, 2023. Over 400 people attended the virtual event, whose theme this year was “building our progress together.” The Dialogue Forum gave various levels of government, Indigenous and coastal communities, marine organizations, scientists and stakeholders an opportunity to learn about, and share updates on, collaboration that has helped advance Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan over the last six years.
Sessions held this year included: “Telling the OPP Story,” Community Hydrography Services, Canada Shipping Act Amendments, Risk-based Analysis of Maritime Search and Rescue Delivery, Maritime Pollution Preparedness Response and Recovery, Anchorages and Active Vessel Traffic Management, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s ECHO program, Alternative Response Measures, TC’s role in Marine Protected Areas, Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness, Indigenous Search and Rescue, Vessel Remediation Fund, Vessel Biofouling, Salish Sea Strategy, and British Columbia’s Institute of Technology’s Bridge Watch Program.
The next Oceans Protection Plan Dialogue Forum is scheduled to take place in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on November 28 and 29, 2023. To register, email TC.OPPAtlantic-PPOAtlantique.TC@tc.gc.ca.