Legislating for Integrated Marine Management: Canada’s Proposed Oceans Act of 1996

Summary Bill C-26 is intended to provide for the integrated management of the oceans and marine resources within Canada’s jurisdiction. The bill sets out Canadian jurisdiction in the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone, and the continental shelf in accordance with the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention. It defines a framework for a national oceans management strategy based on sustainable development, a precautionary approach, and integrated management plans for oceans and coastal resources and activities. These promising provisions suffer from limited commitment to sustainable development principles, lack of details and clarity about the intended oceans management strategy, and limited embrace of integration in management planning. The bill aho redefines the organizational responsibilities for Canada’s oceans in a way that significantly enhances the role of the minister of fisheries and oceans. In fulfilling these functions, the minister is likely to have to share responsibilities with other stakeholders rather more than Bill C-26 actually requires, if its integrative management objectives are to be attained.