Achievements

On August 1^st, 2019 Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada had surpassed its marine conservation target of 10 percent protection of marine and coastal areas. This significant achievement was reached through considerable collaborative efforts with indigenous peoples, all levels of government, marine industries and stakeholders.

To date, Canada has established 14 MPAs under the Oceans Act, three National Marine Conservation Areas, one marine National Wildlife Area, and 59 marine refuges. These areas protect 13.81% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas.

Some milestones and achievements that contribute towards the target include:

2019

• Establishment of the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area (MPA) on August 1^st, 2019 via ministerial order. This MPA contributes 5.55 percent towards Canada’s marine conservation targets and encompasses an area of 319 411 km².
• Amendments to the Oceans Act enabling the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to designate interim MPAs to provide protection to vulnerable areas while further scientific research and consultation take place. The Act has also been modernized to align with other environmental legislation in terms of fines, punishments, and enforcement provisions.
• Adoption of new protection standards for federal MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures to better conserve sensitive and important parts of our oceans.
• Establishment of 2 Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas
  • Banc-des-Américains MPA; as the first MPA to be established under the Canada-Quebec Collaborative Agreement.
  • Laurentian Channel MPA; as the first MPA to apply Canada's new protection standards.
• Announcement of 8 new marine refuges in Howe Sound, between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

2018

• Establishment of Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area off the northwest of Vancouver Island, as the first protected marine area established by Environment and Climate Change Canada under the Canada Wildlife Act.
• Announcement of the Canada-Quebec Collaborative Agreement to Establish a Network of Marine Protected Areas in Quebec.

2017

• Announcement of 51 marine refuges; representing approximately 275,000 km² and 4.78% of conserved marine territory.
• Establishment of 2 Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas
  • Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reef MPA
  • St. Anns Bank MPA
• Announcement of the final boundary for the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area in the High Arctic.

2016

• Establishment of Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area in the Beaufort Sea, Northwest Territories.

Moving forward

The Government of Canada remains committed to carrying out the work set out under the five-point plan, including the protection of large offshore areas such as the Offshore Pacific Area of Interest, identified in May 2017, west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Date modified:

2019-08-01