愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Canada won't permit sea floor mining without 'rigorous' regulations

Lobster fishermen work at sunrise in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) Lobster fishermen work at sunrise in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Share
OTTAWA -

The Canadian government said on Thursday it would not allow mining in its domestic ocean seabeds without a "rigorous regulatory structure" and that the need for natural resources does not override Ottawa's environmental commitments.

Sea floor nodules contain critical minerals used in batteries that are needed to fuel the world's transition to clean energy, but trawling the sea floor for them could disrupt ecosystems.

"Canada does not presently have a domestic legal framework that would permit seabed mining and, in the absence of a rigorous regulatory structure, will not authorize seabed mining in areas under its jurisdiction," natural resources and oceans and fisheries ministers

The decision comes after a report commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which includes representatives from 14 countries, in 2020 said mining on sea floors should not begin before full assessments of the likely environmental impacts are made.

Any decision on whether to allow seabed mining needed to be "informed by science" and protect ecosystems while also weighing economic and social effects, according to the joint statement.

Canada is also not exploring the potential for seabed mining outside its jurisdictional waters, it added, citing previous G7 commitments.

Speaking at an event in Vancouver on Thursday, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson noted Canada's critical minerals strategy, which was unveiled in December, aims to balance economic progress with environmental management.

Canada's "need for critical minerals and other resources did not override our obligation for science based decision making and high ESG standards," Wilkinson said, referring to the strategy document.

The joint statement "makes clear our position our economic advancement cannot come at the cost of the health of our oceans," he added.

(Reporting by Denny Thomas in Toronto and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Montreal police say a business in the city's Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood was hit with Molotov cocktails two nights in a row.

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'

Ontario Provincial Police have laid stunt charges against a driver caught speeding 75 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's t蓹m蓹sew虛tx史 Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.