Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thanks to my colleague.
The oceans protection plan has been a huge success since its introduction in 2016. The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to work meaningfully with first nations, Inuit, Métis and coastal communities in delivering the oceans protection plan and respecting the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
The funding will advance this work and offer new opportunities for indigenous peoples and coastal communities to have a more meaningful role in emergency response in waterway management; partner in decision-making; and train in marine safety, search and rescue missions, environmental monitoring, and emergency spill response.
Recently, I announced an investment of $50 million to directly support indigenous partnership in the OPP. This will provide much-needed capacity funding to support meaningful participation of indigenous communities and organizations in the oceans protection plan initiative.