Question Period Note: Blue Economy Strategy

Why is the Government developing a Blue Economy Strategy?

• The Blue Economy Strategy will support the transformation of Canada’s ocean sectors to a blue economy, in which environmental sustainability, climate action, and social inclusion drive long-term sector development.
• The BES will guide our future actions and investments – so that Canada’s restored ocean health will support coastal communities and Indigenous peoples with long term livelihoods in technologically advanced and resilient ocean sectors.
• I continue to work with my Cabinet colleagues on the development of the Strategy and the implementation of this important commitment.

• Developing a comprehensive Blue Economy Strategy (BES) is a key mandate commitment for the Minister.
• On December 16, 2021 the Prime Minister mandated the Minister to “Continue working with business, academic institutions, non-profits, provincial and territorial governments, and Indigenous partners to grow Canada’s ocean and freshwater economy and support the long-term sustainable growth of Canada’s fish and seafood sector, ensuring Canada is positioned to succeed in the fast-growing global ocean sectors of the blue economy and advancing reconciliation, conservation and climate objectives.”
• The BES public engagement process was officially launched on February 8, 2021 and ended on June 15, 2021. A ‘What We Heard’ report summarizing the input received was released on March 11, 2022.
• The World Bank defines the blue economy as, “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.”
• As the Government refocuses its agenda post-COVID-19, a forward-looking BES will set a vision for our ocean-related sectors and help guide future actions and investments to enable long-term sustainable growth, especially for coastal communities. The Strategy will also advance our ocean conservation objectives, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and climate objectives.
• In addition, the Strategy will consider how to restore and safeguard our ocean health and how climate change is impacting oceans.
• A key tenet of the blue economy is that long-term value creation is directly linked to our ability to restore and rejuvenate ocean health, and that better stewardship of our oceans is essential to sustainable growth, and resilient and thriving coastal communities.
• A healthy ocean is critical for sustainable growth in the ocean economy and requires strong commitments to ocean preservation; improvements to the environmental performance of ocean sectors through innovation, technological development, and enhanced resource management; and, recognition that climate change and the health of the world’s oceans are inextricably linked.
• Internationally – in 2018 Canada, Kenya, and Japan co-hosted the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi. In December of 2020, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, of which the Prime Minister is a member, released their centerpiece report which committed countries to develop Sustainable Ocean Plans. The BES will achieve this international commitment for Canada.
• The blue economy includes a diverse range of oceans-based sectors (e.g., commercial fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation, offshore-oil and gas, shipbuilding, port and harbour infrastructure, and tourism) that generate economic and social benefits for individuals, communities, and coastal nations around the world.
• The global blue economy prior to COVID-19 was rapidly expanding and creating significant opportunities for growth. As per a 2016 report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global economic activities tied to the oceans was projected to double to over CAD $4 trillion by 2030. The blue economy has the potential to outperform the global economy as a whole, both in terms of value added and employment.
• Canada’s ocean-based industries directly generated $22.3 billion in GDP and supported 161,309 jobs across the country in 2019. After accounting for the spinoff effects that occur across supply-chains or due to workers spending their income, the marine sector’s footprint increases to $39.4 billion in GDP and 321,176 jobs. This amounts to 1.7 per cent of total Canadian GDP and of total employment.
• In terms of GDP, the total footprint of the marine sector increased by 36.6 per cent between 2015 and 2019, which is more than twice as fast as the 16.1 per cent growth recorded by the overall Canadian economy over the same period.
• With key assets such as: the longest coastline in the world; access to three oceans; diverse and highly-valued oceans resources; leading oceans research; and, marine conservation efforts, Canada is well-positioned to leverage opportunities afforded by the growing blue economy.

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