Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy
Introduction
Land, Water, Ocean, Us: A Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy was launched on March 16, 2021. The National Strategy was co-developed by Canadians, for Canadians, through an evidence-based and community-driven engagement process in which over 400 organisations and more than 3,000 Canadians participated.
The Strategy outlines nine Action Streams that provide a common framework for action over the course of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). The Ocean Decade serves as an important opportunity for all of us to work together to help ensure a healthy, equitable, and sustainable relationship with the global ocean and Canada’s waterways for present and future generations.
Read the Strategy Publications
Click the titles below to access the three main publications (available in English, French, and Inuktitut).
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Discover the 9 Action Streams
Interact with the Strategy Framework by hovering over different parts of the graphic.
Action Streams
- Develop the digital Canadian Ocean Literacy Map & Community Platform
- Establish the Canadian Ocean Literacy Community Microgrant Program
- Strengthen Ocean Education
- Grow Ocean Week Canada
- Enhance Ocean Knowledge Sharing Through media Communications, Storytelling & the Arts
- Amplify and Advance Youth Engagement in Ocean Conservation & Sustainable Blue Economy Opportunities
- Evaluate and Improve the Current State of Access & Diversity Within Canada’s Blue Spaces & Ocean-related Sectors
- Improve Government Integration of Water-ocean-climate Literacy in Policy & Public Engagement
- Build Ocean & Human Health Connections
- Contribute to Ocean Literacy Leadership & Advocacy (NEW as of 2022)
National Study
The initial purpose of COLC, which launched in Fall 2018, was to design and lead a nation-wide research initiative to better understand people in Canada’s varying relationships with the ocean. The Understanding Ocean Literacy in Canada study, published in June 2020, was an award-winning national project conducted by an all-women team of researchers and graduate students, as well as diverse organizational and university partners. This study established the first baseline of ocean literacy in Canada and its results directly shaped the Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy.
Measuring Impact
COLC’s initiatives are designed to create positive shifts in ocean knowledge, values, and actions — key dimensions of building an ocean-literate society.
A shift begins with a change within one individual or organisation, and long-term impact occurs once a critical mass of people in a community or sector are acting upon their shared knowledge and values.
Annual Impact Reports provide snapshots of the state of ocean literacy in Canada and help reveal trends and progress throughout the UN Ocean Decade.
- To initiate impact, people fostering ocean connections first create or circulate a catalyst (events, tools, training experiences, funding opportunities, etc.)
- Engagement with a catalyst facilitates a change in knowledge, values, and action.
- Representation is measured amongst both catalysts and the participants/users to better understand the depth and potential longevity of the impact.
Updating the Strategy
Four years into implementation, COLC is reflecting on progress, impact, and lessons learned to date. This process is leading to the creation of an updated Strategy to guide ocean literacy efforts through the second half of the Ocean Decade (2026–2030).
The updated Strategy will be published in early 2026.
