TORONTO AND VANCOUVER – Today, the Canadian Government announced that it has officially signed the UN Ocean Treaty, this week marking one year from when it was agreed. Canada joins 87 other countries that have signed since September 2023.
Sarah King, Greenpeace Canada’s Head of Oceans and Plastics Campaign, said:
“We are pleased to see Canada make good on its commitment to secure the Ocean Treaty, building on steps the federal government has taken to support the protection of 30 per cent of the oceans by 2030. But now we need to see more urgency to write this historic Treaty into law and get to work on implementing a global network of ocean sanctuaries desperately needed by marine biodiversity under threat.”
The UN Ocean Treaty has only been ratified by two countries, Chile and Palau. Known officially as the High Seas or Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, the agreement can only enter into force at the UN Ocean Conference in 2025 once formally ratified by at least 60. To meet the 30 per cent by 2030 goal, more than 11 million km² of ocean must be protected every year.
Shane Moffat, Greenpeace Canada’s Head of Food and Nature Campaign, said:
“Justin Trudeau’s government is very good at making big promises to protect nature, but real leadership takes actions, not just words. Signing the Treaty is a good first step, but only legislation can hold the government accountable for actually implementing it. That’s why the Prime Minister must finally pass new Nature and Biodiversity legislation in 2024. Species in crisis like orca and salmon don’t have time to wait.”
