e-3483 (Environment)

Petition to the Government of Canada

• The deep-sea plays a key role in the health of marine ecosystems and species, making it indispensable for the sustenance of the ocean;
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is tasked with the protection of the international seabed (Area) for the benefit of humankind;
• The ISA is considering adopting rushed and inadequate regulations for deep seabed mining (DSM) in the Area;
• There is enormous scientific concern and technological uncertainty surrounding DSM, with scientific consensus it will cause a net loss in biodiversity and irreparable environmental damage;
• Canada’s domestic legislation, The Fisheries Act, effectively bans DSM to protect fish;
• Per Canada’s international commitments, Canada has a responsibility to protect the Area for future generations;
• Canada has an unfulfilled opportunity at the ISA to be a leader on environmental stewardship and good governance;
• The draft regulations do not require full public consultation, nor will they effectively protect the marine environment, thereby undermining the mission of the ISA;
• The green energy transition must be fuelled by a circular economy, not increased extraction; and
• Precedent exists for international moratoria that effectively ban activities threatening the health and sustainability of the environment.