 
Canada
Canada has proclaimed an Oceans Act to provide a focus for the various
federal marine activities and jurisdictions in Canada. The International Year of the Ocean
will assist greatly in establishing an effective process for the implementation of the
Act.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans which is responsible for the Oceans Act, has
established an International Year of the Ocean Office. The Department
will work with other divisions and organizations to coordinate events and make them more
effective. During 1998, themes and events will be planned on a monthly basis to maintain
public interest.
Canada is actively promoting the public version of the Ocean Charter, known as "My Ocean Charter" . The school
system is being targeted to generate a fund which will be used to set up a foundation to
sponsor a continuing programme focused on the oceans and youth. The means of securing
funds is flexible and schools may use one or more of the following approaches: a
"voluntary fee" for signing the Charter, fund raising events, individual
contributions, sponsorships and donations. Canada hopes to raise about CAN$ 5 million from
this initiative, which would give the proposed foundation a good starting base. Canada
invites other countries to also use this mechanism to bring about an awareness of the
ocean to the population at large and to youth in particular.
In celebration of the International Year of the Ocean, the Coastal Zone Canada
Association is hosting a special Youth Conference for students aged 16-24 years. This
conference is being held in Victoria, British Columbia on August 27-30, 1998. The cost is
only $55 CAN (approx $35 US) and includes 3 nights accomodation and all meals! Its a great
way to spend some of the last days of summer and its a good addition to a resume. The
ideas and innovations developed by the Youth Conference participants will be presented at
the regular Coastal Zone Canada'98 conference which runs August 30th-September 3rd. To
find out more about these conferences check out the website: www.ios.bc.ca/ios/czc98.
A Canadian Minister will be "launching" the Canadian IYO programme on
board the CCGS Louis St. Laurent in Halifax on 14 January 1998.
* Canada is the official sponsor of the IOC Charter on behalf the IYO. For more
information see the Ocean Charter Chapter.
Additional details can be obtained from:
The International Year of the Ocean Office,
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
- 200 Kent St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0E6
fax: (1) [613] 998-3329
email: iyo-aio@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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