Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of the Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced nearly $1.5 million in funding over two and a half years to the University of Guelph. This funding will support research into the potential effects of diluted bitumen on adult migrating sockeye salmon, focusing on reproductive success and the survival of their offspring. The findings from this study will deepen our understanding of how exposure to diluted bitumen may impact Pacific salmon, and will further strengthen Canada’s oil spill prevention and response planning capacity.
This project will actively engage Indigenous communities while underscoring our shared commitment to protecting Pacific salmon, their habitat, and the broader ecosystem, cultures, and livelihoods that depend on them.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, experts, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren.
“This funding complements over a decade of funding support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada for this incredibly important research program. It is also a well-deserving recognition that Drs. Alderman and Gillis have the expertise and reputation to carry out this critically relevant work. We celebrate this achievement, which will help them further our mission to improve aquatic ecosystems in Canada,” said Dr. Shayan Sharif, Acting Vice-President of Research and Innovation at the University of Guelph.
Quick Facts
- Since 2016, the Government of Canada has dedicated $3.5 billion to the Oceans Protection Plan, making it the largest investment Canada has ever made to protect its coasts and waterways.
- Since its launch, over 50 initiatives have been implemented under the Oceans Protection Plan.
- Canada’s ocean economy accounts for approximately $31.65 billion annually in GDP and employs approximately 300,000 Canadians across various industries.
