Canada Celebrates the Opening of IMPAC5 – the Fifth International Marine Protected Area Congress

The global ocean is facing mounting pressures from climate change and human activities, resulting in threatened ecosystems and biodiversity loss. The time to act is now, so that generations can inherit an environment that includes a healthy and abundant ocean.

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, on behalf of the Government of Canada, welcomed participants to the Fifth International Marine Protected Area Congress – IMPAC5. Taking place from February 3rd to the 9th in Vancouver, British Columbia, this event brings together ocean conservation professionals and high-level officials to inform, inspire and act to protect our shared marine environment.

Canada is grateful to the host First Nations – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), the Province of British Columbia, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society for their partnership, which has made this Congress possible.