The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
Canada is a strong contributor to several wide-ranging issues at the IMO, from preventing pollution and protecting polar waters to supporting gender equality and improving the health and well-being of seafarers.
On this page
- Canada’s Candidacy for IMO Council 2026-27
- About the Permanent Mission
- Contact the Permanent Mission
Canada’s Candidacy for IMO Council 2026-27
Canada is seeking re-election to the IMO Council in Category B for the 2026-27 term. Canada is a founding member of the IMO, and was the first country to ratify the IMO Convention in 1948. As a Council member since 1959, Canada is firmly committed to advancing the IMO’s mandate and priorities.
Canada’s Leadership at the IMO
Since the IMO’s inception, Canada has demonstrated its commitment to the IMO through meaningful contributions to the work of all organs of the IMO.
Canadians currently holds the following leadership positions at the IMO:
- Standing Chair for the Marine Biosafety review groups, working groups, and drafting groups (2018-Present) at all Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) meetings; and
- Chair of the Inter-sessional Working Group on Non-Governmental Organizations (2024-present).
In addition, Canadians have held other leadership roles including Secretary General of the IMO (1990-2003), Chair of Council (1980-1988), Chair (2022-2024) and Vice-Chair (2017-2021) of the Legal Committee, Coordinator of the Correspondence Group on Underwater Radiated Noise (2022), and Coordinator of the Correspondence Group on Development of Guidance on Matters relating to In-Water Cleaning (2024).
Canada is committed to leading the development of current and emerging policies to improve the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. In the coming years, some of Canada’s priorities at the IMO will include:
- Actively contributing to the work of the IMO
- Advancing the participation of women in the maritime sector
- Promoting Arctic and polar cooperation
- Protecting the environment
Actively Contributing to the Work of the IMO
A strong and effective IMO requires contributions from its Member States. Canada understands this and will continue to provide expertise and resources to help achieve this goal.
Canada’s contributions include:
- In 2024-25, Canada committed in-kind consultancy support to the IMO Secretariat to advance the Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) Action Plan, including organizing the 2025 IMO Expert Workshop on the Relationship between URN and Energy Efficiency.
- In 2018 and 2024, Canada collaborated with the IMO and the IOPC Funds to host and chair workshops to exchange ideas and facilitate bilateral discussions on how best to advance the adoption of the 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention.
- Since 2022, Canada conducted two audits and led three audit-related workshops to support the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
Advancing the Participation of Women in the Maritime Sector
Canada is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and will continue to champion efforts to improve their recruitment and retention in the maritime sector.
Canada’s contributions include:
- Canada is a founding member of the IMO Gender Equality Network (IMOGen) and has actively participated in this network’s Women on Board Mentorship program.
- In 2024, Canada hosted a workshop to identify national and international actions to increase women representation in the maritime sector. A follow up workshop to share best practices across the sector is planned for 2025.
- Since 2021, Canada funds projects under the International Hydrographic Organization on Empowering Women in Hydrography to increase female participation/representation in the field of hydrography.
Promoting Arctic and Polar Cooperation
As an Arctic nation, Canada understands the importance of the polar regions to the world. Canada continues to play an active role at the IMO, and beyond, to address issues in those regions.
Canada’s contributions include:
- Canada’s Arctic Emission Control Area (ECA) proposal to reduce SOx, NOx, and particulate matter emissions from ships transiting the Canadian Arctic was adopted by the IMO in 2024.
- As one of the lead countries on the development of the Polar Code, from 2019-22, Canada delivered five regional capacity-building workshops to ‘train-the trainers’ so that seafarers would be familiar with the Code’s requirements and will remain closely involved in its implementation and development.
- Canada co-chairs the International Ice Charting Working Group, a multinational forum of ice services, where it actively supports the advancement of S-411 (Dynamic Ice Information).
Protecting the Environment
Canada’s contributions include:
- Canada is a strategic partner in the GloFouling and GloNoise Partnership Projects, a collaborative initiative between the IMO, Global Environment Facility, and the United Nations Development Programme.
- Canada has led on the experience-building phase to reduce the risk and spread of aquatic invasive species through the Ballast Water Convention, including organizing a two-day workshop as part of the 2024 International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species.
- Canada continues to fund the Canadian Chair – Marine Environmental Protection at the WMU to advance research in international marine environmental protection.
- Canada co-chairs the Clean Energy Marine Hubs initiative, a cross-sectoral public-private platform to de-risk investments needed to produce low- and zero-emission fuels to be transported by the maritime sector.
Canada is Seeking Your Support
Noting Canada’s geographic characteristics, the importance of maritime trade, and history of leadership and contribution at the IMO, Canada is seeking your government’s support for re-election to Category B of the IMO Council during the 34th session of the IMO Assembly.
About the Permanent Mission
As part of the Oceans Protection Plan, Canada increased our leadership and international work to improve marine safety and protect the marine environment through the creation of a permanent mission team to the IMO in London, United Kingdom.
Canada’s permanent mission acts as a link between the IMO and the Government of Canada and strengthens Canada’s ability to influence international standards for shipping and supports Canada’s leadership role in marine safety, security, and environmental stewardship.
The current members of Canada’s permanent mission to the IMO are:
- Permanent Representative - The Honourable Ralph Goodale , High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Alternate Permanent Representative – Robert Fry, Deputy High Commissioner for Canada to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Alternate Permanent Representative – Michelle Sanders
Contact the Permanent Mission
Mail:
Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization
Canada House
Trafalgar Square
London, United Kingdom
SW1Y 5BJ
E-mail: IMO-Canada-OMI@tc.gc.ca