How the Canadian Coast Guard collaborates internationally

The Canadian Coast Guard collaborates with coast guards and other partners around the world. These partnerships help us learn from each other to ensure that:

• Canadian waters are safe, accessible, and secure
• we remain at the forefront of emergency response, maritime safety and security, and environmental stewardship

How we collaborate

We maintain relationships with international partners through:

• participation at international forums and membership at International Organizations
• bilateral relations and agreements
• capacity building exercises

International forums

Each year we take part in several international forums. Through annual meetings and working groups to:

• share best practices
• advance cooperation
• increase coast guard capacity on operational issues

We attend the following forums:

• Arctic Council
• Arctic Coast Guard Forum
• North Pacific Coast Guard Forum
• North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum
• Coast Guard Global Summit

The Canadian Coast Guard participates actively at international organizations:

• International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
• International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Canadian Coast Guard role at IALA

The Canadian Coast Guard is an IALA Council member, the governing body of the organization and contributes as a technical expert on several committees. The CCG is also the vice-Chair of the Aids to Navigation Requirements and Management (ARM) Committee, and hosts the Digital@Sea North America conference every two years.

Contact the Canadian Coast Guard IALA Desk

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Canadian Coast Guard, Marine Navigation Strategies, IALA Desk
222 Nepean St.
Ottawa ON K2P 0B8
Email: CCGIALADesk-BureauAISMGCC@dfo-mpo.gc.ca