| The marine environment in Canada is affected by a number of stresses.;In Canada, jurisdictional responsibility for the protection and preservation of the marine environment rests with both the federal and provincial governments, and, as delegated by the provinces, with municipal governments. Problems arise in the management of land-based sources of ocean pollution when jurisdictional ambiguities occur. Such ambiguities can result in jurisdictional overlaps, unclear delineations of responsibility and accountability, and either duplication of management activities or a lack thereof. Throughout the thesis, jurisdictional marine environmental frameworks for each level of government in Canada are identified and evaluated.;Land-based sources of ocean pollution are not limited to national areas of jurisdiction. Land-based pollutants are ubiquitous in nature and must be managed at all levels. The thesis begins with an evaluation of the international framework which is now in place in an effort to combat the deterioration of the oceans which is now occurring as a result of land-based pollutants and concludes with two local case studies: the Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, and the St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland.;There exist various opportunities for the amelioration of Canadian environmental policy in the protection and preservation of the marine environment from land-based pollutants. Those opportunities must be approached on a cooperative level between all levels of government. Intergovernmental cooperation is a prerequisite to the effective management of land-based ocean pollutants. The plethora of benefits which Canadians presently derive from the oceans necessitates that action to protect and preserve the marine environment be taken as soon as possible. Immediate action to more effectively control land-based sources of ocean pollution will benefit not only ourselves but future generations. ftn... |
