Diana Fox Carney, the wife of Prime Minister Mark Carney, is taking on an unpaid position dedicated to ocean conservation. In her role as the country’s ocean envoy, Fox Carney will work on advancing Canada’s leadership in ocean conservation, climate action, Indigenous leadership, economic resilience, and maritime security. Additionally, she will lead the 12th annual Our Ocean Conference, a global event that brings together governments, organizations, and academics to address contemporary ocean challenges. The conference is scheduled to be held in Halifax next year.
Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson expressed optimism about showcasing Canada’s leadership in ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, ocean science, and Indigenous stewardship at the 2027 conference. This event is a crucial step towards Ottawa’s commitment to safeguard 30% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas by 2030. Fox Carney emphasized the conference’s significance in fostering cooperation, sharing knowledge, and securing commitments for the well-being of future generations.
Fox Carney, who has a background in economics and environmentalism, has been involved in various nonprofit organizations and held senior positions at prominent think tanks in Canada and the U.K. Notably, she sparked debate in 2013 with a paper advocating for discussions on carbon pricing in Canada. In 2021, she took on a senior advisory role at the Eurasia Group, a global political research and consulting firm.
The upcoming Our Ocean Conference, chaired by Fox Carney, is poised to address critical environmental, economic, and cultural issues with a goal of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Atlantic Canada’s hosting of the event in 2027 underscores the importance of global cooperation in safeguarding our oceans.