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Message from the Minister

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As Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, it is my pleasure to present The New Wave - Marine Safety Strategic Plan 2009-2015.

This Strategic Plan represents an important step for the Marine Safety program. It identifies four key results to help realize its vision, mission and mandate by promoting a stronger safety culture within the marine community both domestically and internationally. First, consistent and effective compliance and enforcement activities; second, education and awareness of safe and environmentally sound marine practices fuelled by an understanding of risks and their proactive management; third, continuous improvement, effective leadership and sound management practices in program delivery; and fourth, harmonized and effective Marine Safety policy and regulatory framework focused on performance and risk management.

In pursuing these key results, the Marine Safety program will be supporting the government's priorities related to 'A Better Canada' by having a cleaner, healthier environment as well as having 'A Stronger Canada Through a Stronger Economy'. The New Wave focuses on protecting the public interest, and ensuring safety for the travelling public by supporting, promoting and regulating marine practices - which protect human life and the marine environment.

In addition to supporting the federal government in these priority areas, the Marine Safety program will continue to play a role in supporting Transport Canada's Moving Forward - Changing the safety and security culture - A strategic direction for safety and security management1, which outlines how to make progress on changing the safety and security culture.

Moving Forward will guide the Marine Safety Program in the implementation of a Safety Management System for operators of Canadian domestic vessels (including small passenger vessels) and in the certification of Canadian vessels engaged in foreign voyages for International Safety Management compliance.

In effect, The New Wave establishes priorities in marine safety and the protection of the marine environment and aligns the means to achieve them. I look forward to watching the plan unfold and set new courses over the next seven years as the Marine Safety program continues to support the departmental vision of having a transportation system in Canada that is recognized worldwide as safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible.

The Honourable John Baird, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities



1 For more on this topic, visit: http://www.tc.gc.ca/tcss/StrategicPlan/menu.html

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Date modified:
2010-01-14