Trudeau Announces $2 Billion Ocean Protection Plan, Criticizes Previous Government’s Approach

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference as (L–R) MP Joyce Murray, Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, MP Patrick Weiler, and Squamish Nation councillor Khelsilem listen, on Bowen Island, B.C., on July 19, 2022. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the previous Harper government’s approach to protecting the oceans on Tuesday while announcing $2 billion in additional funding to protect ocean ecosystems.

Trudeau held a press conference with other ministers on Bowen Island, B.C., to present the new investment enclosed in the government’s last budget released in April.

When asked by a reporter what he was most proud of regarding the Oceans Protection Plan, Trudeau said “one of the things that was absolutely essential was moving back into the space of saying that our oceans need to be protected.”

“It seems so obvious, particularly standing here all together, but the federal government prior to us was shuttering Coast Guard stations, was under-investing, was ignoring any sorts of partnerships with indigenous peoples, and firing scientists,” he said.

The Liberal government launched the first iteration of the Oceans Protection Plan in 2016 with a $1.5 billion price tag, which was touted as the largest investment to protect coasts and waterways.

The additional $2 billion announced in Budget 2022 is projected to be spent over the next nine years, starting in 2022–2023.

Trudeau said the new funding will build on the “tremendous actions, results, and success” of the plan to strengthen partnerships with indigenous communities, increase research, and protect vulnerable species and areas.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, who spoke at the press conference with Trudeau, listed some of the achievements of the protection plan in recent years.

He said two new Coast Guard stations were opened in B.C. along with the reopening of four others across Canada.

The Harper government had closed stations as part of deep budget cuts across the government to balance the budget by 2015–2016.

Among other achievements, Alghabra said 500 abandoned boats that were a hazard to navigation were removed or assessed, and 223 endangered species were recovered.

“The Oceans Protection Plan will be enhanced to make large and small ship traffic safer on our waters, keep supply chains healthy, strong, and resilient, increase our emergency preparedness response, recovery, and research into marine pollution beyond oil spills, and introduce even stronger protection for ecosystems, wildlife, including our endangered whale population,” he said.

Fisheries and Oceans Minister Joyce Murray said the new funding will be used to acquire Coast Guard vessels for Arctic rescue.

Other plans under her purview include increasing maritime security training and the capabilities of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer marine association involved in search and rescue.