What distinguishes Canada from so many other economies, ocean coast lines, lots of it. The announcement today will go a long way in positioning our coastal economies to better research and extract rewards from our great oceans.
Along the way let’s hope that sustainability is paramount, otherwise these resources could be depleted just as fast if not faster than those on land. Sustainable development of our oceans will provide greater rewards for communities than traditional extractive economies. Let’s hope government, communities, academia and industry walk the talk.
While funding is critical to create space for all to communicate, research, test and market services and products, we need to also create space for those citizens in our rural coastal communities to contribute to the discourse. Only in that way will they be able to retain their youth and attract new people.