“We are all responsible for protecting nature, and Canada is doing its part. We are working with Indigenous Peoples to protect 25% of Canada’s land and oceans by 2025 and at least 30 per cent by 2030.”
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
With the longest coastline in the world, Canada relies on healthy marine ecosystems to sustain its economy, food supply, and coastal communities.
Our world is interconnected, and the destruction of natural habitats yields unexpected and disastrous results not only for the health of the planet, but also for the health of our communities.
Marine protected areas are an important nature-based solution that help address climate change and loss of biodiversity in Canada and around the world.
This is why the Government of Canada is proud to host IMPAC5 alongside the Host First Nations—xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)—in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
By working with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples, Canada achieved its goal of conserving 10 per cent of its oceans in advance of 2020, and is now committed to conserving 25 per cent by 2025, and 30 per cent by 2030. To achieve this, the Government of Canada will continue to partner with its provincial and territorial counterparts, and Indigenous peoples, while consulting with environmental and industry organizations.
To date, Canada has conserved nearly 14 per cent of its oceans through the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs), and other effective area-based conservation measures. This includes 14 Oceans Act MPAs, three National Marine Conservation Areas, one marine National Wildlife Area, and 59 marine refuges.
The ocean is a shared resource and we must act globally to protect it. In addition to hosting IMPAC5, Canada has joined a number of global initiatives like the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, the Global Ocean Alliance, and the High Ambition Coalition, to advance protection of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 to preserve biodiversity for future generations.
In addition to meeting its international commitments on ocean conservation, the Government of Canada has committed to growing a sustainable blue economy that will create jobs in coastal communities while preserving healthy aquatic ecosystems.
