Author: Peter Ricketts , Barry Jones , Lawrence Hildebrand , Brian Nicholls and Grant Gardner
Summary:
The Coastal Zone Canada Association (CZCA) was formed in 1993 to promote integrated coastal and ocean management (ICOM) in Canada and the world. The first Coastal Zone Canada (CZC) conference was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1994, and ever since the CZCA has carried the torch for ICOM in Canada through a series of biennial CZC conferences. Since the inaugural Halifax meeting, further CZC conferences have been held in 1996 in Rimouski, PQ, 1998 in Victoria BC, 2000 in Saint John NB, 2002 in Hamilton ON, 2004 in St. John’s NL, 2006 in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, 2008 in Vancouver, BC, and 2010 in Charlottetown, PEI. This article reflects on the contributions of the CZCA to ICOM. Each of the conference statements, declarations, calls for action, publications, and toolkits have helped advance the discussion about ICOM in Canada, in particular the importance of community engagement and education as fundamental to ensuring the success of ICOM policies and processes. Through its publications, networking, and the influence of its members, the CZCA has played its part in raising the profile of ICOM in Canada and internationally, and influencing the legislative and public policy agenda in Canada.
