STUDY OF GOVERNANCE MODELS AND APPLICATION TO NORTHERN LOW-IMPACT SHIPPING CORRIDORS

Under the Ocean’s Protection Plan (OPP), Transport Canada (TC), in collaboration with the Coast Guard and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), has been tasked to develop and implement Northern Low-Impact Shipping Corridors (Corridors). Growing awareness of fragile ecosystems and increasing shipping in the Arctic have heightened the need to develop Corridors. This requires examining current and historical traffic patterns while considering alternative or additional routes, taking into account areas of environmental and cultural sensitivity, as well as traditional knowledge and science. The Corridors are shipping routes located throughout the Arctic where the necessary infrastructure, marine navigational support, and emergency response services are provided to ensure safer marine navigation while minimizing the impact on communities and the environment. These Corridors will be used as a framework to guide future federal resources, services and activities to the areas of highest need. The ultimate goal is to ensure safe and efficient marine transportation, responsible economic development and the provision of essential supplies and services to Northern communities while enhancing indigenous partnerships and reducing the environmental impact of shipping. To support the generation and implementation of the Corridors, TC and Coast Guard will lead the development of a governance model for effectively engaging Indigenous partners on activities related to Arctic marine shipping. To implement this initiative, TC and the Coast Guard will work with a range of partners, including: (1) provinces and territories; (2) Northern Indigenous groups (including land claims’ organizations); (3) marine shipping industry active in the North; (4) academia and non-governmental organizations; and (5) federal partners, including Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Various governance models exist nationally and internationally that govern environmental resources with various levels of government and Indigenous peoples. At this time, TC and the Coast Guard seek professional services to undertake research and analysis in order to identify these governance structures and subsequently provide options for consideration which could be appropriately applied to a Corridors framework. The study will identify different governance models with specific criteria. Building on this work, the study will also identify and present various options of governance models that could be applied to the Canadian context, for consideration during engagement with our partners. The findings of this study will help shape the broad, multiyear engagement with the aforementioned partners. Please refer to attached Request for Proposal (RFP).