VANCOUVER, BC, June 25,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and 17 First Nations are
announcing the signing and launch of the Great Bear Sea Project
Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative. Building on many years of
collaborative planning efforts, the Great Bear Sea PFP initiative
creates a co-governance structure that aims to protect and conserve
marine wildlife and habitats, advance ongoing Marine Protected Area
(MPA) management and stewardship over the long-term, and create
thousands of new jobs that will contribute to a sustainable coastal
economy.
The Indigenous-led Great Bear Sea PFP initiative will bring
$335 million in new investments to the area known as the
Northern Shelf Bioregion and the Great Bear Sea. Contributions
include $200 million from the Government of Canada, $60 million from the Province of
British Columbia, and
$75 million from philanthropic organizations in Canada and around the world. These investments
will be leveraged with additional private revenue sources over time
to support community-led economic development and diversification,
long-term funding for Indigenous Guardian programs, and stewardship
and management, including in MPAs.
For many years, First Nations have worked in partnership with
the Government of Canada and the
Government of British Columbia,
with the involvement of stakeholders from industry sectors, as well
as communities and local governments, to propose a design to guide
the implementation of a MPA Network in the Great Bear Sea region,
announced last year as the Northern Shelf Bioregion MPA Network
Action Plan. The Great Bear Sea PFP initiative will support First
Nations' capacity through the next stages of planning and
implementation of the MPA Network, as well as ongoing research,
monitoring, and collaborative management with the Government of
Canada and the Government of
British Columbia.
The Great Bear Sea, also known as the Northern Shelf Bioregion,
encompasses some of the most ecologically productive cold-water
marine regions in the world. It includes globally significant
populations of fish, whales, corals, seabirds, kelp forests, and
other plant and animal species. The MPA Network will advance
conservation efforts that protect and enhance culture,
biodiversity, and thriving coastal communities for generations to
come.
The MPA Network is expected to add an estimated 14,000 square
kilometres of new marine protected areas to the 16,000 square
kilometres of existing protected areas in the Great Bear Sea.
Together, existing and new protected areas will encompass
approximately 30 per cent of the Great Bear Sea. Specific
designations and management plans for each MPA will be developed in
consultation with First Nations, industry stakeholders, and the
public.
Quotes
"Indigenous Peoples have been the stewards and
caretakers of Canada's vast lands
and waters since time immemorial. Today's announcement is an
important step in our governments' efforts to collaborate on and
advance Indigenous-led projects that will protect the health of our
marine ecosystems for future generations. We will continue to work
together with Indigenous and coastal communities from coast to
coast to coast to ensure Canada's
marine and coastal areas remain healthy, clean, and safe."
— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau,
Prime Minister of Canada
"Canada is proud to be part of
this historic Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence
initiative. More than ever, our government is committed to
supporting Indigenous-led marine conservation initiatives that
protect our shared coasts and oceans. We owe such concrete actions
to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren."
— The Hon. Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans
and the Canadian Coast Guard
"The signing of the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for
Permanence initiative marks a historic step in protecting nature in
Canada. The investments announced
today provide a lifeline to the thousands of species inhabiting the
Northern Shelf Bioregion, one of the most ecologically productive
cold-water marine regions in the world. Our government launched the
largest conservation campaign in Canada's history, with the goal of protecting
30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030. From the start, we have turned
to Indigenous partners to lead this work, as we acknowledge their
traditional role as stewards of the lands and waters and their best
positioning to restore healthy ecosystems. We want to protect these
waters not just for our children, but for our grandchildren and
every generation after that."
— The Hon. Steven Guilbeault,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"People in British Columbia
share a deep connection to our coastal waters. They are a source of
beauty, food, and economic opportunities. Through sustainable
conservation financing, we will help secure the future of our
marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities."
— The Hon. David Eby, Premier
of British Columbia
"We are partnering to take bold steps to protect our marine
environment for generations to come. It's a day that makes us all
proud. Working alongside First Nations, the traditional stewards of
these lands and waters, in true collaboration, is the only way we
can meet our goals of protecting 30 per cent of British Columbia's lands and waters by
2030."
— The Hon. George Heyman,
British Columbia's Minister of
Environment and Climate Change Strategy
"The creation of the Marine Protected Area Network in the
Northern Shelf Bioregion, also known as the Great Bear Sea, will be
the first of its kind in Canada.
It is the product of a made-in-British
Columbia collaborative approach that brings together
Indigenous knowledge, cutting-edge science, and input from industry
stakeholders to protect this precious marine area while growing our
economy."
— The Hon. Nathan Cullen,
British Columbia's Minister of
Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
"This ground-breaking initiative, led by 17 First Nations,
launches a new era of collaborative governance in marine
conservation, stewardship, and Marine Protected Areas. It
represents a beacon of hope for the future ‒ a future where ongoing
management and stewardship are not just aspirations, but realities.
Together we have forged a path where prosperous communities and
stewardship go hand in hand, where economic growth is synonymous
with environmental stewardship."
— Chief Marilyn Slett, President of Coastal First Nations
"Today, we celebrate the results of First Nations, government,
industry, stakeholders, and community members all working together
to develop solutions that work for people and for nature. Our
shared commitment to a healthy coast is what feeds our families
today and will continue to sustain our communities, cultures, and
economies, resulting in a better future for British Columbians and
the world."
— Dallas Smith, President of Na̲nwak̲olas Council
"With today's announcement, First Nations are extending a
successful model of collaborative stewardship, backed by durable
conservation financing, from the rainforest to the sea. We look
forward to continuing to work closely with First Nations,
supporting them to invest in their community prosperity and marine
stewardship programs which, in turn, will strengthen coastal
communities and economies."
— Eddy Adra, Chief Executive Officer of Coast Funds
Quick Facts
- Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) provides multi-partner
investments and sustainable financing for large-scale conservation
and sustainable development projects. These initiatives bring
together Indigenous organizations, governments, and the
philanthropic community to identify shared goals for protecting
nature and ultimately halting biodiversity loss while advancing
community well-being and reconciliation with Indigenous
Peoples.
- In recent years, the Government of Canada has made historic investments in
Indigenous-led conservation projects, including through initiatives
like the Indigenous Guardians program.
- In 2022, during COP15 in
Montréal, Quebec, the federal
government pledged to deliver up to $800 million in support of
up to four Indigenous-led PFP initiatives, including the Great Bear
Sea PFP.
- Grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge, and local
perspectives, Canada is committed
to working with partners across the country to conserve 30 per cent
of lands and waters by 2030.
- The approximately 30,000 square kilometres of the existing and
proposed protected areas in the MPA Network is close in size to
Vancouver Island.
- The 17 First Nations participating in the Great Bear Sea PFP
are the Haida Nation, Gitga'at First Nation, Gitxaała Nation,
Haisla Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Kitsumkalum Band, Metlakatla
First Nation, Heiltsuk Nation, Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, Nuxalk
Nation, Wuikinuxv Nation, Da'naxda'xw-Awaetlala Nation, K'omoks
First Nation, Kwiakah First Nation, Mamalilikulla First Nation,
Tlowitsis Nation, and Wei Wai Kum First
Nation.
- In 2023, the Government of British
Columbia announced a $60-million contribution to the Great Bear Sea
PFP and the Marine Plan Partnership (MaPP) to help protect vital
coastal ecosystems, create new jobs, and advance sustainable
fisheries and economic opportunities in the Great Bear Sea, in
partnership with First Nations and donors.
- Coast Funds is an Indigenous-led conservation finance
organization established in 2007 to partner with First Nations in
achieving their goals for conservation, stewardship, and
conservation-based economic development. Coast Funds is the fund
administrator for the Great Bear Sea PFP.
- Since 2007, investments by Coast Funds from the Great Bear
Rainforest Agreements have created more than 1,250 new jobs and 120
new businesses in the region. Learn more.
- The Great Bear Sea, also known as the Northern Shelf Bioregion,
includes 102,000 square kilometres of culturally and
environmentally significant ocean.
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play a critical role in
preserving and enhancing biodiversity and ecological integrity of
marine ecosystems. MPA Networks are collections of individual MPAs
that operate co-operatively and fulfill ecological and economic
goals more effectively than individual MPAs.
- In 2023, leaders from 15 First Nations joined the
Government of Canada and the
Government of British Columbia to
jointly endorse an MPA Network Action Plan in the Great Bear Sea at
the Fifth International Marine Protected Area Congress
(IMPAC5).
- Once the MPA Network Action Plan is fully implemented, the MPA
Network is expected to cover 30 per cent of the Great Bear Sea,
including new protected areas and potential enhancements to
existing MPAs.
- A core component and priority of the Great Bear Sea MPA Network
is the creation of a 7,800 square kilometres National Marine
Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR) on the Central Coast of
British Columbia. An NMCAR would
protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity as well as culturally
important values and features, which support the well-being of
Indigenous Peoples, coastal communities, and a diverse range of
marine sectors.
- The Wuikinuxv, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai'xais, Gitga'at,
and Gitxaała First Nations, the Government of Canada, and the Government of British Columbia have concluded a feasibility
assessment for a Central Coast NMCAR, and the partners will now
begin transitioning into establishment agreement negotiations
consistent with the PFP closing agreement.
Related Product
- Backgrounder: Great Bear Sea Project Finance for
Permanence
Associated Links
- Our Great Bear Sea
- Coastal First Nations
- Na̲nwak̲olas Council
- Coast Funds
- MPA Network
- Indigenous Guardians
- British Columbia's Ministry of
Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
- Protecting more nature in partnership with Indigenous
Peoples
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office