Question Period Note: Canadian coast guard integration

About

How does integrating the Canadian Coast Guard under the Department of National Defence better serve the interests of Canada?

Strengthening Canada’s ability to detect, monitor and respond to maritime threats is essential to protect Canadians, our sovereignty, and our national interests.
I am honoured to welcome the Canadian Coast Guard to the Defence Team whose integration will allow for greater information sharing and operational coordination.
Our integration efforts will further enhance Canada’s capacity to respond to emerging threats in Canada’s Arctic and northern approaches.
As a civilian special operating agency, it will continue to play a crucial role in search and rescue, icebreaking, environmental response, safe navigation, and ocean science.

If pressed on militarization of Canadian Coast Guard:

There are currently no plans to arm Canadian Coast Guard personnel or assets, or to incorporate an additional enforcement role in the organization.

On June 9, 2025, it was announced that the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) would be integrated into the Defence portfolio. The transfer became effective on September 2, 2025, through an Order in Council.
The full transition will take place over the coming months, as the Departments of National Defence (DND) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) finalize a memorandum of understanding to implement the transfer.
Online resources are available to all Defence Team members, including CCG and supporting DFO employees, to address questions regarding the transition and potential impacts on them and their work.

CCG’s primary enabling legislation includes:
- The Oceans Act
- The Canada Shipping Act
- The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act

The Oceans Act is a central piece of legislation, granting CCG the responsibility to provide marine services to Canadians and in Canada’s waters.
In June 2025, Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, was tabled by the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
Bill C-2 seeks to amend the Oceans Act by expanding the CCG’s mandate to include security activities, particularly in remote Arctic waters, allow for it to patrol, and collect, analyze and share security-related intelligence.
First reading of Bill C-2 in the House of Commons took place on June 3, 2025; second reading is currently in progress.

The Canada Shipping Act gives the Minister power, responsibilities, and obligations concerning aids to navigation, search and rescue, pollution response, and vessel traffic services.

The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act was introduced in 2019 to address vessels of concern, including wrecked, abandoned, hazardous or worn-down boats, which can create public health, safety, environmental and economic issues for impacted communities.
Under the Act, the CCG is responsible for:
- Addressing all vessels and wrecks, including those that pose or may pose a hazard in all Canadian waters.
- Coordinate and conduct hazard assessments on vessels and wrecks wherever located, including enforcement actions.
- Enforce the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007 in Canadian waters and the exclusive economic zone of Canada.
- Take appropriate actions on dilapidated vessels that are left on property under the responsibility of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans.

The CCG is one of the most visible federal departments in the Arctic, with a regional presence of more than 100 full-time employees responsible for program delivery. It plays a key role in advancing federal priorities including reconciliation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, science and research and maritime safety and security.
Its history in the Canadian Arctic spans more than 60 years and includes key activities such as assisting the shipping industry during their annual Arctic resupply missions.

Responsible Principals: Canadian Coast Guard, Deputy Minister’s Office (Canadian Coast Guard Integration)