Share and view ideas: Canadian Coast Guard Long-Term Strategy

The Canadian Coast Guard is seeking your input to support the development of the Long-Term Strategy.

The maritime landscape is changing, both globally and here at home in Canada due to a number of factors including:

• climate change
• new and emerging technologies
• an evolving security context
• new workforce requirements and labour shortages
• growing interest in the Arctic

Within this changing landscape, we also continue to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation. This includes developing policies and programs in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

As part of our steps to move to the future, we are developing a Long-Term Strategy that will take us to 2050 and beyond. We are currently seeking public comments on the Long-Term Strategy Discussion Paper, to inform the future of our programs and services. The Discussion Paper is made up of four Strategic Pillars:

• Services
• People
• Assets
• Governance

Under each pillar, we outline some of the long-term goals and key actions that we are exploring to ensure we can continue to deliver our important services to Canadians for decades to come.

Learn more about the Canadian Coast Guard Long-Term Strategy Discussion paper and its four pillars by visiting the Canadian Coast Guard Long-Term Strategy website.

Who is the focus of this consultation

The Government of Canada will engage with:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples
• marine industry stakeholders and association members
• provincial, territorial and local governments
• academia
• the general public

The four pillars for discussion

The Canadian Coast Guard is looking for your feedback on its Long-Term Strategy Discussion Paper, including on the long-term goals and actions that we are exploring to take us to 2050 and beyond. The Discussion Paper is organized into four pillars which are:

Services – What we deliver for Canada: As the operator of Canada’s civilian fleet, we are looking to modernize our services including:

• icebreaking
• performing maritime search and rescue operations
• responding to marine pollution incidents
• supporting science and conservation

To ensure our programs and services meet the needs of the communities we serve, we are looking at opportunities to build and grow our relationships with Indigenous partners and marine stakeholders in Canada and internationally.

People – Who delivers our services: The Canadian Coast Guard employs people with a wide range of skills and capabilities across Canada to deliver our essential services. We are looking at developing strategies to address labour shortages that are impacting the national and global maritime industry. We are also exploring ways to increase workplace flexibility for our employees by expanding opportunities for training and career development.

Assets – What we need in order to deliver our services: Our current fleet and assets includes:

• icebreakers
• buoy tender ships
• helicopters
• drones
• search and rescue lifeboats

We also operate shore-based assets such as fixed aids to navigation, stations, and other equipment. To meet our mission and mandate for the future, we are exploring approaches to have the right mix of vessels, infrastructure, and equipment. This includes working with partners to find the best path forward for climate resilience and decarbonization, which means reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

Governance – How we continue to deliver our services: Having served Canadians for over 60 years, we will continue to work with our federal, regional, Indigenous, and international partners to keep the laws, policies, and regulations governing our work up to date. To do this, we are exploring approaches to improve governance structures and support the delivery of our mandate.

Related information

• Prime Minister announces renewal of Canadian Coast Guard fleet
• National Shipbuilding Strategy
• Oceans Protection Plan renewal

Contact us

Canadian Coast Guard Long-Term Strategy team
200 Kent St
Ottawa ON K1A 0E6
Email: dfo.ccglongtermstrategy-strategiealongtermeGCC.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca