Rankin Inlet, Nunavut - The Arctic Ocean provides critical resources for northern communities across Canada. It is a key transportation corridor for community resupply, provides food resources, and is a part of northern cultural identity. Ensuring these waters are safe is crucial. This is why the Government of Canada is making significant investments to improve marine safety across Canada's North under the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, announced funding for two separate Arctic initiatives:
1. Improving the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) in the Arctic
This new funding of $84 million will enable the CHS to continue their work to improve modern hydrographic services of mapping the seafloor, which directly contribute to safe navigation in the Arctic. The CHS will undertake hydrographic surveys using new technologies such as autonomous survey vessels and satellite-based remote sensing, to meet the challenges of Arctic hydrography, and provide new nautical charts and products in priority areas. This funding will also enable communities in the Arctic and Canada to work with the CHS to collect and use hydrographic data, advancing their understanding of the local seafloor.
Through previous funding from the Oceans Protection Plan, the CHS was able to increase our hydrographic coverage of the Arctic's shipping corridors and release 72 new Electronic Navigational Charts. Today's funding will build upon these accomplishments and further improve marine safety in the Arctic.
2. Enhancing the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) in the Arctic
This new funding of $24.7 million will enhance the CCG's response capabilities at Rankin Inlet. Established under the first phase of the Oceans Protection Plan, the Canadian Coast Guard's first Arctic search and rescue station opened in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, in August 2018 as an Inshore Rescue Boat station. With this additional funding, the station will be enhanced to an Arctic Marine Response Station.
The CCG will use these resources to hire and train additional crew from local communities; extend the station's operational season by one month annually beginning in 2023, to better align with the full ice-free boating season in the area; procure an additional search and rescue vessel, purpose-built for Arctic operations; and, undertake additional infrastructure improvements to enhance operational capabilities.
The CCG's Station in Rankin Inlet provides maritime search and rescue services during the open-water season. Crews respond to distress calls that range from capsized vessels taking on water to medical emergencies. Its crew is an important part of the emergency preparedness and response system in the North, working together with the CCG Auxiliary, Inuit, and local first responders to increase maritime safety in Arctic waters.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. A renewed and expanded Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren.
