The government of Canada has invested CAD 258 million (USD 186.7 million, EUR 160.5 million) to continue the country’s work protecting more than 30 species of whales by addressing ship strikes, underwater noise mitigation, prey availability, entanglements, and habitat protections.
“Canada will continue to take decisive action to protect these majestic marine mammals,” Canadian Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson said in a release. “From coast to coast to coast, this funding will support the continued protection of at-risk whale species and the greater marine environment. This will ensure that our waters are thriving, supporting coastal communities and sustainable fisheries for generations.”
The Canadian government highlighted the spending as a key investment in the Spring Economic Update 2026: Canada Strong For All, which is a 5-year initiative. Thompson, Canadian Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Steve MacKinnon, and Canadian Senior Secretary of State Stephanie McLean shared the investment news, claiming the spending will “renew and enhance funding for the protection of whales and their habitats.”
“The Spring Economic Update 2026 builds on the momentum of our budget, combining strategic investments with sustained fiscal discipline to keep building Canada Strong for All – delivering prosperity today and strengthening our economy for tomorrow.” Canadian Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne said. “At this pivotal moment in Canada’s history, we’re charting a course through the fog of uncertainty and global headwinds with strength, determination, and ambition – and building one strong Canadian economy, by Canadians, for Canadians.”
The Canadian government has funded whale protection and recovery efforts since 2018 for species such as the North Atlantic right whale (NARW), the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga (SLEB), and the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW).
The bulk of the funding – CAD 163.8 million (USD 118.6 million, EUR 101.9 million) – will advance the work of the government’s Whales Initiative for another five years.
The investment also includes targeted funding to support Southern Resident killer whales. The 2026 Update forecasts increased marine traffic on the west coast with more Canadian economic initiatives underway. In response, the government is funding CAD 95 million (USD 68.7 million, EUR 59.1 million) over the next five years as well as CAD 16.5 million (USD 11.9 million, EUR 10.3 million) in ongoing spending for enhanced protections for Southern Resident killer whales. Transport Canada has also issued an interim order requiring vessels must stay 1,000 meters away from Southern Resident killer whales beginning 1 June 2026, and the government is pushing amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations of the Fisheries Act to make that order permanent.
“Building a stronger Canada means strengthening our supply chains and trade infrastructure while also protecting marine ecosystems that support our coastal communities, including species such as Southern Resident Killer Whales,” MacKinnon said. “With this funding in place, we are supporting the long-term protection of marine life and a more resilient and competitive economy.”
