IQALUIT, NU, Oct. 27, 2026 /CNW/ -- Oceans connect us and bind us together, reminding us that we are part of an interconnected web that goes beyond national jurisdictions. Respecting our oceans doesn't just support resilient marine ecosystems, it helps to secure the future of coastal communities. 

Today, Madame Diana Fox Carney, Canada's Ocean Envoy and Chair of the 12th Our Ocean Conference (OOC), concluded a visit to Canada's Arctic where she met with Inuit leaders, local partners, and students training for careers in fisheries and marine operations at the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium. Discussions focused on the importance of Northern perspectives on marine conservation, fisheries, economic development, and climate resilience, as well as opportunities to advance Indigenous leadership through the Our Ocean Conference.

Building on these conversations, Mme. Fox Carney is pleased to announce the first-ever Global Indigenous Summit, to be held on May 9, 2027, alongside the Our Ocean Conference. The Summit will bring together Indigenous Peoples from around the world to exchange Indigenous knowledge and discuss shared priorities for the future of ocean stewardship, conservation, and blue finance. To ensure Indigenous leadership will be at the centre of this work, the Ocean Envoy will work closely with the Right Honourable Mary Simon, the Former Governor General of Canada. Her leadership role will be critical to the success of this Summit.

Today, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, and the Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature) also announced two new commitments towards advancing its goal of conserving 30 per cent of Canada's ocean by 2030, and building on A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature.

First, the government announced its commitment to protect an additional three per cent of Canada's marine and ocean areas by the end of 2027. With the longest coastline in the world, this will result in over 170,000 km² in additional protected area, bringing over 20 per cent of Canada's ocean waters under protection. Canada will invite international partners to demonstrate similar ambition and action at the 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax.

Second, as host of the 12th Our Ocean Conference, Canada will work with global partners to accelerate blue finance, including innovative financial mechanisms that help direct capital toward resilient coastal communities and healthy ocean ecosystems. As part of this commitment, Canada will work with Indigenous communities in the Arctic to establish up to two new conservation agreements, drawing on long-term financing models such as Project Finance for Permanence to support enduring conservation outcomes and community-led stewardship.

In recognition of the importance of the Arctic Ocean, Canada will also advance initiatives, in partnership with other Arctic states and Indigenous Peoples, to further strengthen Arctic governance, including in the Central Arctic Ocean.

We know that public funding alone cannot meet the scale of the challenge. By bringing together governments, philanthropy and the private sector, and by building long-term predictable funding, we can ensure that conservation and the communities that steward the ocean are supported for generations to come.

Quotes

"It was a privilege to be welcomed to Iqaluit during my first official visit as Canada's Ocean Envoy and Chair of the 12th Our Ocean Conference. I am grateful to Inuit leaders, youth, and community partners who shared their knowledge and perspectives. Their leadership and stewardship are vital to the future of Arctic marine ecosystems and will help inform global conversations on ocean sustainability, conservation, and the blue economy."

Mme. Diana Fox Carney, Canada's Ocean Envoy and Chair of the 12th Our Ocean Conference

"I welcome the opportunity to support the Global Indigenous Summit at the Our Ocean Conference. The Arctic Ocean must be understood through the lives of the people who have inhabited and cared for it over countless generations."

The Right Honourable Mary Simon, Former Governor General of Canada

"Indigenous perspectives are vital to the advancement of sustainable fisheries and marine conservation efforts. I'm thrilled Former Governor General Mary Simon will be working with us to advance these efforts. Working with Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders, including industry, Canada has conserved 17.65 per cent of its marine area. Building on that momentum, we're aiming to conserve an additional three per cent by the end of 2027."

The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries

"The Arctic is home to globally important marine ecosystems that support biodiversity, communities, and ways of life that have endured for generations. As Canada advances its conservation goals, Inuit and Indigenous leadership and stewardship will continue to guide our efforts to protect nature, conserve biodiversity, and build a healthy future for oceans and communities."

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

"Canada's Arctic and oceans are central to our identity and future. As we work alongside Arctic partners and Indigenous Peoples to further strengthen Arctic governance, including in the Central Arctic Ocean, Canada is also exploring new ways to mobilize investment for marine conservation. By bringing together our Arctic leadership and our commitment to healthy oceans, we can protect these vital waters for generations to come."

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"From the Arctic to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, healthy oceans support our communities, our economy, and future generations. By working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to explore innovative blue financing models, we can help secure long-term funding for marine conservation and advance Canada's goal of protecting 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030."

The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)

Associated links

• Our Ocean Conference
• Minister Thompson announces Ocean Envoy and Chair of Our Ocean Conference
• A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature
• Project Finance for Permanence: Support for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives 
• Canada announces signing of UN agreement on conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

Quick Facts

• Nunavut is central to Canada's identity as an Arctic and ocean nation, accounting for approximately 70% of the country's coastline. Its marine ecosystems support significant biodiversity and are fundamental to Inuit culture, food security, and livelihoods.
• During her visit, Madame Fox Carney also participated in a community visit with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, visited a Fisheries and Oceans Canada Conservation and Protection detachment in Iqaluit, and toured the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium, where she met with students and program leaders helping shape the next generation of northern marine leaders.
• The Our Ocean Conference (OOC) focuses on addressing the key ocean issues of our time, including climate change, biodiversity loss, food security and pollution. The 12th annual edition of the conference will take place from May 9-11, 2027, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• The OOC is a leading international platform that brings governments, Indigenous Peoples, industry, civil society, and academia together to drive action-oriented, measurable commitments for ocean conservation and to advance ocean protection and sustainable use.
• Project Finance for Permanence is an innovative investment model that leverages government and private funding to support large-scale long-term conservation initiatives that contribute to Canada's conservation goals while supporting economic opportunities and community well-being.

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada