Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches 2024 AI Ocean Call for Proposals
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has launched its 2024 AI Ocean Call for Proposals. This new call program is focused on the accelerated advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ocean, recognizing its substantial potential to profoundly influence the future, health, and prosperity of the world’s oceans.
Through Ambition 2035, Canada has a five times growth, $220 billion potential in the ocean economy. The pervasive use of AI in operational decision-making is poised to significantly shape global opportunities and contribute to transformational growth in Canada’s sustainable ocean economy.
Through its AI Ocean Program, the OSC will collaboratively invest with industry partners in successful project proposals. This financial support aims to provide the necessary means for companies to secure the capabilities required for Canadian firms to establish and maintain a competitive global position.
This Call for Proposals is a deadline-driven and competitive framework, providing companies seeking to co-invest with the OSC an avenue to enhance their AI knowledge, capabilities, and overall competitiveness.
The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AI Ocean Call for Proposals is February 27th, 2024, at 8:00PM Atlantic | 7:00PM Eastern | 4:00pmPM Pacific. Full program guidelines can be found here [LINK]. Complete EOI submissions must be submitted via email to: AI@oceansupercluster.ca. To learn more about AI Ocean Call for Proposals here – https://oceansupercluster.ca/aioceancall2024/.
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC)
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has grown its membership to almost 600 members from across the country and approved more than 90 projects with a total value of approximately $400 million which will deliver more than 200 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca
Media Contact:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches Scaled Renewable Ocean Energy Call For Proposals To Support The Sustainable Growth Of Canada’s Ocean Economy
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches Scaled Renewable Ocean Energy Call for Proposals to Support the Sustainable Growth of Canada’s Ocean Economy
A Canada-wide Call for Proposals designed to increase development of Canada’s renewable energy industries
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has launched a Canada-wide Call for Proposals under its new Scaled Renewable Ocean Energy Program. This call aims to increase the development of technologies that leverage the power of the ocean to generate electricity, reduce carbon emissions, and provide renewable energy sources.
Canada’s ocean energy sector is expected to be an increasing key driver of growth and new jobs. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster’s Ambition 2035 sets a 5X growth ambition for Canada’s ocean economy by 2035, where ocean energy has the potential to grow from $9 billion in value in 2019 to $100 billion in 2035. While today Canada’s ocean economy is driven by traditional sources of energy, these ambitions will require significant investment and enabling ocean technology to reduce costs of new developments, support investment and innovation activity, and build out needed operational and monitoring capabilities, while maximizing the participation of Canadian firms.
“Our government is proud to support the Ocean Cluster as it leads the way in making our ocean economy more sustainable and provides a cleaner and greener future for everyone. The Scaled Renewable Ocean Energy Call for Proposals will create opportunities for Canadian companies to develop innovative ocean energy technologies while helping us achieve our climate objectives,” said The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said, “by leveraging the power of the ocean, we can reduce our reliance on traditional sources of energy and create a more sustainable future for all Canadians. With this Scaled Renewable Ocean Energy Call for Proposals, the OSC will help grow Canada’s offshore renewable energy sector through new technologies and partnerships while strengthening our supply chain. We are excited to call on the ingenuity of Canadian companies to help drive this important work and meet these 21st-century opportunities.”
Through the Call for Proposals, the OSC is seeking projects that will support Canada’s renewable ocean energy transformation with solutions that help reduce emissions and create advancements in carbon-neutral solutions that are part of a net zero future. The Call aims to support the greening of Canada’s economy by accelerating Canada’s renewable ocean energy industries, by:
- Investing in technologies required to enable or strengthen Canada’s offshore renewable energy sector;
- Leveraging offshore sector competencies and technologies for offshore renewable industries by encouraging strong partnership to increase sector development in Canada; and
- Building and strengthening the supply chain and cross-border partnerships involving Canadian companies needed to support new energy market entry points.
The Scaled Renewable Ocean Energy Call is designed to encourage OSC members to create solutions where ocean energy can be applied anywhere energy is consumed. Adopting ocean energy technologies will help Canada meet its net zero targets by reducing reliance on oil and gas, reducing carbon emissions, and creating more sustainable energy systems for the future. The Call invites applicants to apply their collective capability, diversity of insight, and resilience toward projects that make a direct positive impact for the OSC network and the broader Canadian ocean economy.
The application process is now open, beginning with the Expression of Interest (EOI) process. For consideration, organizations must submit a completed EOI by June 20, 2023, at 8 p.m. Atlantic time.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will host a virtual public information session on the Scaled Renewable Ocean Energy Call for Proposals on May 24, 2023, at 2 p.m. Atlantic time. To register, visit https://www.airmeet.com/e/2e252100-ef2f-11ed-b29a-87a35707e9e5
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $1.3M Virtual Ocean Project for a more digital ocean sector
Today, alongside project partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the $1.3 million Virtual Ocean Project, led by DSA Ocean based in Victoria, BC. This project is creating a digital engineering platform called Virtual Ocean. A collection of custom software ‘apps’ will be built on the platform that will capitalize on specific needs in every ocean sector, including marine aquaculture, marine renewables, defence, and offshore energy.
Through this platform, marine businesses will be able to obtain answers to sector-specific questions in a simpler way compared to existing general-purpose desktop solutions. The Virtual Ocean platform will be based on accepted engineering-analysis technologies that allow users to understand how marine assets, technologies, and operations react in real ocean conditions.
In the Virtual Ocean Project, DSA Ocean will work with partner Cermaq Canada on creating, testing, and commercializing the platform. With a total project value of $1.3 million, under the cluster’s first round of funding, the OSC will provide $614 thousand to the project, with the balance of funding coming from project partners.
Virtual Ocean will benefit the ocean community by improving safety, supporting economic growth through the development of sustainable marine engineering projects, and providing accessible and affordable technology for businesses of all sizes, with a particular emphasis on smaller enterprises that otherwise may not be able to access marine engineering software at a reasonable cost.
At its essence, the Virtual Ocean Project embodies a cooperative initiative that actively involves Canadian ocean enterprises in resolving genuine issues encountered during the deployment and upkeep of marine hardware. Upon completion, Virtual Ocean will facilitate widespread utilization of simplified engineering software tools tailored to specific product niches within the marine industry, making the information more accessible to persons employed in the ocean sector who lack specific engineering expertise, and create and maintain 12 full time jobs and the potential for 60 indirect jobs.
Quotes:
“This new sustainable marine project, supported by Canada’s Ocean Cluster, is strengthening Canada’s ocean economy by making marine engineering software more accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes. This provides smaller businesses with a greater chance of success, increasing Canada’s competitive advantage in the ocean sector.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“With support from the Ocean Cluster, one of Canada’s five Global Innovation Clusters, this Virtual Ocean Project will bring valuable technologies to smaller sized companies, enabling them to compete in the larger ocean economy. It’s great to see innovations like this one benefitting Canadian companies of all sizes” – Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Halifax
“DSA Ocean and team are creating technology to adapt to ocean sectors, improving processes, increasing safety, and supporting economic growth. We are excited to announce the Virtual Ocean Project that will help make technology accessible to small and medium ocean companies.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“The challenge we are taking on is how to make it easier for marine organizations to understand how wind, waves, currents will impact their structures. We’re excited to work with Cermaq to create new products that will be used to support the development of sustainable finfish aquaculture and marine renewable energy in Canada. This project is an important first-step for DSA Ocean in creating a suite of easy-to-use marine analysis software tools.” – Dean Steinke, Co-founder and CEO, DSA Ocean
“Cermaq Canada works in cooperation with nature and under the Governance of Indigenous rights holders to grow sustainable Atlantic salmon on the east coast and west coasts of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The technology and information developed from this project is critical to helping us ensure our innovation pathway has sustainability as a central objective by developing improved site-evaluation and engineering technologies for semi-closed containment systems.” – Brock Thomson, Cermaq Canada
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. The OSC has approved 86 projects with a total value of more than $400 million which will deliver more than 130 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca
Media Contact:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announces $14.1M Oneka Glacier Project making ocean a sustainable and affordable source of freshwater
(Sherbrooke, QC) Today, alongside project partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the $14.1 million Oneka Glacier Project – Utility-Scale Wave Powered Sustainable Desalination, led by Oneka Technologies, a Sherbrooke, Quebec-based clean tech company. In the project, Oneka will scale up its wave-powered desalination technology to utility-scale, creating a desalination “Glacier” system to make the ocean a sustainable and affordable source of freshwater.
Oneka Technologies will work with project partners AF Theriault who is supporting the manufacturing the hull and structure of the Glaciers’; H2O Innovation who is providing the process plant for the desalination portion of the Glacier technology; and government partner, the City of Barrington, NS who will provide a coastal site for buoy installation at Cape Sable Island. With a total project value of $14.1 million, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will provide $6.7 million in funding with the balance of coming from project partners.
Since the ocean contains almost all the world’s water and approximately half the world’s population lives within 100 km of a coast, there is a significant opportunity for portable, modular, energy efficient desalination plants in coastal areas. The project team will use breakthrough technology to harness wave power to produce fresh water, producing no GHG emissions, requiring minimal land, and employing responsible brine-using modular units for water-scarce regions globally while also reducing water costs by two-thirds or more in identified markets.
Through the Oneka Glacier Project and the technological advancements it employs, Canada can become the global hub of ocean-supplied sustainable freshwater for coastal populations and industries by exporting this high-value technology around the world, helping realize its ambition of bringing fresh water to all communities.
Quotes:
“Through this investment, our government is supporting breakthrough wave-power technology that will enable the production of fresh water at a very low cost and without GHG emissions. Scaling up this project is key for the company’s ability to create well-paying jobs, accelerate its commercialization efforts and seize export opportunities.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Our government is proud to contribute to Oneka Technologies’ vision. This Quebec-based clean tech company is working to scale up its desalination buoy system, granting coastal communities more affordable and sustainable access to fresh drinking water. This innovative project is taking Canada one step further toward becoming a global leader in providing technology for sustainable fresh water for coastal populations and industries.” – The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
“I am committed to the environment and the adoption of clean technologies. Today, Canada’s Ocean Cluster announced its partnership with Oneka Technologies and its project partners to produce fresh water at the lowest possible cost and without carbon emissions by harnessing wave power. It’s amazing to see such a revolutionary project, right here in our community, that could help increase global access to safe drinking water.” – Élisabeth Brière, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke
“We are extremely excited to announce the Oneka Glacier project, our first ever Quebec-led project that will not only deliver new economic activity in ocean, but also create a solution to a significant challenge – access to freshwater for communities of all sizes. We are inspired by the innovation of this project team and excited that Canada’s Ocean Supercluster can help make it a reality.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“As Canadians, we are privileged with an abundance of freshwater. However, freshwater scarcity is one of the world’s greatest 21st century challenges. I am proud that we team up with incredible partners, H2O Innovation and AF Theriault to develop our Glacier unit and bring our know-how and expertise to the rest of the world. Propelled by the invaluable help of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, this sustainable source of water will make coastal populations and industries across the globe, including the Barrington Municipality, in Nova Scotia, more resilient to impacts of climate change.” – Dragan Tutic, CEO and Founder of Oneka Technologies
“We have been delivering land-based desalination plants all over the world for over 20 years now. With this project, we will apply our deep desalination expertise to ocean-based desalination plants solely powered by wave energy. While desalination is a robust and sustainable solution to water scarcity, it is often perceived as an energy-intensive process that uses meaningful portions of grid and conventional energy sources. Oneka’s innovative approach, which uses the power from the waves to mechanically push the water through our reverse osmosis systems, is a technological game changer because it has literally no carbon footprint and uses free, untapped, consistent, and renewable energy extracted right at the location of the desalination plant on the floating vessel. We are incredibly proud to be a consortium partner for this visionary project.” – Guillaume Clairet, COO of H2O Innovation
“We are delighted to be partnering with Oneka Technologies for the achievement of a project that will meet a growing need in the world, access to drinking water. We believe that desalination is part of the solution if we use systems that have been designed to operate in a sustainable manner. This project is an opportunity for our employees to put their expertise to good use by integrating their know-how which will facilitate the development of this innovation. In addition, it allows AF Theriault, which operates in a cyclical maritime industry, to diversify its markets. We are excited to create a success story with Oneka and its partners.” – Gilles Theriault, President of AF Theriault
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. The OSC has approved 86 projects with a total value of more than $400 million which will deliver more than 130 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world
About Oneka Technologies
Oneka Technologies is a Canadian company working in the water technology sector, with a growing international presence. Its mission is to make the oceans a sustainable and affordable source of freshwater. Using only the renewable energy created through ocean waves, Oneka turns seawater into fresh water, allowing coastal communities and industries facing water scarcity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Founded in Sherbrooke, Quebec in 2015, the company employs more than 25 employees and has operations in Florida, Chile and soon, in Nova Scotia.
Media Contacts:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Camille St-Pierre
Oneka Technologies
camille@onekawater.com
819.485.0335 ext. 711
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and Fórum Oceano Announce Collaborative Partnership to Advance Pan-Atlantic Blue Economy
(Lisbon, Portugal) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) and Fórum Oceano have announced their new, collaborative partnership to promote sustainable investment and growth of the blue economy in regional and international networks. This agreement, signed yesterday at the Canadian Embassy in Lisbon, will formalize the partners’ collaboration particularly in the areas of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Enhanced international cooperation is needed to unlock the potential of data and AI solutions to address global ocean challenges. In their pan-Atlantic partnership, the OSC and Fórum Oceano will work together to exchange competence and experience within operation, development and governance of the ocean clusters to advance work in these spaces.
The partnership between OSC and Fórum Oceano will include:
- Knowledge exchange and transfer on the use of AI in ocean economy
- The facilitation of pan-Atlantic collaboration in R&D in ocean data and AI
- Increase collaboration of Atlantic coastal cities in climate resilience planning and climate change adaptation
- Shared and cross promotion and public awareness on the advancement of the blue economy
- Access to the services offered by the innovation centers included in the Blue Hub Portugal Canadian innovation, research and development spaces
- Collaboration between partners in each cluster to undertake projects, events and partnership opportunities
“Sharing knowledge, experience and data is key to a successful blue economy,” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “We are excited about the potential of this partnership with the Fórum Oceano where we will work together with our memberships to cross collaborate and advance solutions in the global blue economy.”
Canada has recognized the need to support the commercialization of AI driven ocean solutions by funding the launch of the OSC’s new AI Ocean Program, as part of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS). This program stream represents, for one of the first times in Canada, the launch a program dedicated to funding ocean innovation using AI platforms.
“Cooperation is strategic for making a sustainable blue economy happen. The challenges are systemic, as also the opportunities. We are very excited with this MoU with Super Ocean Cluster from Canada,” said Ruben Eiras, Secretary General of Forum Oceano. It opens new horizons for synergies with our recent innovation ecosystem projects financed by the EuropeanCommission: Blue Hub Portugal, a network of 7 blue innovation centers for Blue economy in ports; Portugal Blue Digital Hub, an European Digital Innovation Hub for Blue Economy, where we will have 1 million euros a year for financing blue Digital startups and SMEs.”
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led transformative cluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of globally relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. The OSC has approved 86 projects with a total value of more than $400 million which will deliver more than 130 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
Media Contact:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster CEO Kendra MacDonald named a top sustainability leader in 2022 Clean50 Awards
MacDonald recognized as category leader for Investors and Ecosystem Support
(Toronto, ON) Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster CEO Kendra MacDonald was named one of Canada’s top sustainability leaders for the Clean50 Awards. From more than 1,000 nominees across the country, MacDonald has also been named category leader for Investors and Ecosystem Support as a part of this year’s Clean50 Awards.
Canada’s Clean50 Awards are announced annually by Delta Management Group and the Clean50 organization to recognize those 50 individuals or small teams from 16 different categories who have done the most to advance the cause of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada over the past two years. MacDonald says she is excited to share this recognition with other Canadian leaders who are committed to creating sustainable growth opportunities that also help contribute to the path to net-zero. “While it’s my name on the award and that is a great honour, this is truly representative of how the Ocean Supercluster network collectively is changing the way ocean business is done.”
“The sustainable development of our ocean economy is one of the most important opportunities of our time, and the work of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and its almost 450 members is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together,” said Kendra MacDonald. “We know the ocean is at the forefront in the fight against climate change and it’s the incredible innovation and Canadian made ocean solutions that are not only tackling some of these global challenges but also creating exciting new companies, jobs, and opportunities from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”
Successfully building a network of 450 cross-sectoral collaborators and investors and leading almost $300 million in investment into more than 50 blue technology projects across Canada over the past two years was among the reasons why MacDonald was awarded the recognition.
“The 2022 Clean16 are truly the leaders of the leaders in sustainability in Canada. The competition for the top spot this year in every instance left us with a record number of great choices – and to be selected from amongst such a strong group of peers is truly a testament to the contribution Kendra MacDonald has made to helping make Canada more sustainable for all Canadians,” said Gavin Pitchford, CEO of Delta Management Group.
The purpose of Clean50 Awards is to identify, recognize and connect sustainability leaders from across Canada. Clean50 believes a solution for climate change will take input from every sector of Canadian life, and that cross-sector collaboration will be critical to achieving any measurable success. The Clean50 Awards Summit was created to accelerate this process.
Learn more at:
https://clean50.com/canadas-top-sustainability-leaders-announced-for-2022/
https://clean50.com/canadas-top-sustainability-award-releases-full-list-canadas-clean50-for-2022/
About Delta Management Group / Canada’s Clean50:
Leading ESG, sustainability and clean tech search firm Delta Management Group founded, and remains the steward of the Canada’s Clean50 awards, created in 2011 to annually identify, recognize and connect 50 sustainability leaders from every sector of Canadian endeavor, in order to facilitate understanding, collaboration and innovation in the fight to keep climate change impacts below 1.5 degrees C. Ancillary awards also recognize 20 Emerging Leaders and the Top Sustainability Projects of the year, as well as bestow Lifetime Achievement designations.
About OSC
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is a pan-Canadian, industry-led transformative supercluster focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges across ocean sectors through a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable, globally-relevant solutions, while also building a highly-capable, inclusive workforce. The Ocean Supercluster has approved 56 projects to date with a total value of more than $290M which will deliver more than 100 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
Media Contact:
Gavin Pitchford
Delta Management Group
gpitchford@deltamanagement.com
416.925.2005 x 2300
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
709.725.7070
Program Manager
About us
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an innovative, industry-led national ocean cluster that is ensuring we as Canadians, achieve sustainable economic growth in our ocean-based industries while also contributing to the health of our planet.
The OSC’s mandate is to collaborate with investors and partners from across ocean industries to develop and commercialize innovative solutions to shared ocean challenges that are globally-relevant and include key investment areas such as ocean energy, sustainable seafood, the future of marine transport and climate solutions, and focus on growing more Canadian ocean companies and building the ecosystem to deliver on this potential. The OSC guides ideas from the conceptual to the actual; partnering with industries who have big goals and innovative concepts. Actualizing these ideas is our passion and the process is our mission. Our organizational values include creativity, inclusion, collaboration, and ambition.
The OSC has a team of over 30 employees across seven provinces. We are looking for an innovative thinker to drive our workforce agenda and contribute to the growth, retention and development of the ocean economy and the health of the planet.
About the Role
Reporting to the Director of Project Delivery and working within the Project Management Office (PMO), the Program Manager is responsible for managing the delivery of multiple projects within the OSC, ensuring strategic alignment, compliance with governance, and effective collaboration across stakeholders. The Manager oversees the end-to-end lifecycle of projects, from initiation to benefit realization, ensuring that business objectives, timelines, budget constraints, and quality standards are met. This role requires strong relationship management to foster trusted connections with OSC members, stakeholders, and partners.
Roles and Responsibilities
Project Management:
- Oversee the delivery, coordination, and control of multiple projects to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
- Manage project deliverables, ensuring effective documentation, communication, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
Stakeholder Management:
- Act as the primary liaison for business teams and external stakeholders, providing regular updates and strategic guidance to ensure project alignment with business needs.
- Facilitate collaboration among internal teams, members, and partners to enhance program impact.
Risk and Issue Management:
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues proactively through structured review meetings and risk management strategies.
Financial Oversight:
- Monitor project budgets, conduct high level financial review, and collaborate with the Finance team to ensure effective budget control and financial compliance.
Governance and Compliance:
- Ensure all projects adhere to the OSC’s PMO governance framework, maintaining compliance with established standards and procedures.
- Regularly update project portfolio system dashboards to ensure transparency and visibility across all levels of the organization.
Analytics & Performance Tracking:
- Leverage analytics tools to extract insights from project data, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous performance improvement.
- Support the collection and reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs) across project portfolios.
Continuous Improvement:
- Contribute to the refinement and enhancement of project management processes, tools, and frameworks to drive efficiency.
- Promote best practices in program delivery by identifying opportunities for process optimization and standardization.
Automation of Project Processes:
- Contribute to the automation of project processes to improve efficiency, enhance data accuracy, and reduce manual efforts.
PMO Department Responsibilities:
- Support the development and refinement of the OSC Annual Plans, quarterly board reporting, project management processes, and project-related guidance documents.
- Coordinate and facilitate workshops and meetings with member working groups, ensuring effective preparation and engagement.
What You Bring
- Experience: Minimum of three years of experience in program management, business development, or project management. Previous experience in the ocean sector or related fields is highly desirable.
- Tech Development Knowledge: Experience in a technology development environment with familiarity with the development process would be considered an asset.
- Project Management Expertise: Proven ability to plan, organize, and execute complex projects, including managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze data and make informed, strategic decisions.
- Proactive Mindset: Demonstrated ability to take initiative, drive results, and adapt to evolving business needs.
- Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging with internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners.
- Ability to Navigate Ambiguity: Ability to effectively move forward and make good decisions when faced with uncertainty, while working within a defined framework.
- PMO & Analytics Tools: Experience with PMO governance frameworks and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Monday.com, Smartsheet).
- Data & Reporting Expertise: Experience with analytics and data visualization tools (e.g., MS PowerBI, Tableau) is an asset.
Ideal Additional Qualifications
- A genuine interest in ocean science, technology, and sustainability.
- A commitment to driving positive impact within the ocean sector through innovative programs.
We are excited to continue building our team with experienced professionals who are passionate about realizing Canada’s ocean opportunity and growing the ocean economy in a digital, sustainable, and inclusive way.
The OSC is committed to your career growth and supports team-wide professional development through internal training in DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).
The OSC is committed to living its values, which includes the development of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable experience for our applicants and team members. Please let us know if you require any interview accommodations.
Apply Now by providing your cover letter, and resume to hr@oceansupercluster.ca
Student Spotlight: Finding My Place in the Ocean Economy
If you told me a year ago that I’d spend my summer meeting Chiefs, learning about ocean technology, and helping launch initiatives that promote Indigenous-led climate resiliency, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But that’s exactly where I have ended up, working as the Indigenous Engagement Intern at Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.
I’m studying Social Justice and Peace Studies, along with Politics and International Relations. My interests have always leaned toward community work, human rights, and equity, so I wasn’t sure if an ocean sector co-op was a perfect match. What I didn’t expect was how much the ocean sector overlaps with everything I care about: environmental justice, Indigenous sovereignty, climate policy, access to technology and intellectual property, and the right to a livable future. It’s easy to see the ocean as distant, but the truth is, what happens in and around it impacts everyone.
Working at the OSC has helped me realize how the ocean industry isn’t just about science and technology; it’s about people, relationships, and shaping the future. At the OSC, commitment to Indigenous engagement isn’t just a checkbox; it’s built into programs like the Indigenous Coastal Innovation Challenge, Indigenous Career Pivot Program, and the formation of the Arctic Steering Committee. Being part of those efforts gave me the opportunity to see how partnerships and innovation can come together to support community priorities and long-term resilience.
One thing that continues to resonate with me, more broadly, is how many voices and perspectives are still missing from these conversations. The ocean economy holds enormous potential, but we will never realize that potential without participation of all. Justice in this sector goes beyond inclusion, it requires making space for diverse ways of knowing, living, and leading. It was incredible to be part of a team that values this commitment to driving equity and collaborative action forward.
My advice to other students wanting a co-op? Go for it and be open! Consider applying to jobs and co-ops that don’t align perfectly with your vision or long-term career goals. Some of the most meaningful learning happens outside your usual lane. The world is more connected than we think, and there’s space for your values in every sector, even the ones you haven’t considered yet. You don’t need to change who you are to do important work; sometimes your perspective is exactly what’s needed to push a space forward.
National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025: Supporting Indigenous Youth
By:
Charlene Bearhead
Vice President, Learning and Reconciliation
Canadian Geographic Enterprises
We often hear people say, “the youth are our future” but in reality, we have a responsibility and opportunity to impact their future in the best way possible. The time, energy, love and support that we offer to our young people today is our investment in a better future for them and the generations to follow.
Supporting Indigenous-led youth expeditions and experiences that focus on nurturing the inherent relationship that Indigenous youth have with the land and water is a beautiful, engaging and powerful way to invest in the dreams, goals and hopes of the youth. There is an indescribable joy that comes from witnessing the look on the face of an Indigenous young person when they realize the love of their lands and waters that they may have never had the opportunity to explore or experience before. When they are surrounded by Indigenous water protectors, land guardians, deck hands, engineers, scientists, educators, photographers, researchers, writers and more… that’s where the real inspiration and the belief that anything is possible in their own lives hits home for many of these young people.
Miawpukek Horizon Maritime and Mi’kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA) are creating these opportunities for Mi’kmaq youth and looking to expand their offerings to other Indigenous youth over time, by opening up space for partners organizations to find our own roles and place in contributing to these experiences for the youth. As Vice President Learning and Reconciliation at Canadian Geographic I had the privilege of partnering with Miawpukek Horizon and MAMKA in June of 2024 to contribute the learning resources, education and editorial support, along with photography on behalf of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. We were able to bring in Jacksen Friske, a young Anishinaabeg journalism student who was employed as the summer student on the Canadian Geographic editorial team along with Cree photographer and RCGS Fellow Fred Cattroll to contribute to the programming and the coverage of the incredible vision and initiative of Miawpukek First Nation. Our time and education resources were what we brought to the table to enhance the rich program that Miawpukek had pulled together including programming contributions from Marine Institute at Memorial University, Ocean Networks Canada, the Audubon Society just to name a few.
This is one example of what authentic reconciliation can look like, Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, organizations and societies coming together as allies and partners to support Indigenous-led experiences for youth. It’s time for those of us who are non-Indigenous to recognize our place and space in supporting Indigenous youth. We all have a role, but we need to be diligent in our allyship. Rather than occupying spaces that are not ours to consume, we can listen to what Indigenous Nations, communities and very importantly youth want to see us contribute. As Miawpukek Horizon Marine, MAMKA and the Miawpukek First Nation continue to lead the way in their work within ocean, land and water science and career advancement, we all have the opportunity to uplift and highlight their efforts by promoting and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives. This is why the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Ocean Supercluster, Workplace Warriors and others see such tremendous value in investing in these community-driven opportunities. Join us and find your place in advancing these important experiences and expeditions for Indigenous youth as we do our part for their future.
CANADA’S OCEAN SUPERCLUSTER SEEKING A NEW MEMBER TO JOIN ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Are you an innovative leader passionate about the growth of the ocean economy in Canada? Are you
interested in supporting solutions that tackle complex challenges including food security, emissions
reductions, the future of shipping, energy security, arctic advancement, and biodiversity loss in
communities across the country? Are you keen to be a leading voice in shaping the future of Canada’s
ocean economy for generations to come? Then now is the time to consider a seat on the Board of
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC).
The OSC with its network of ocean networks across the country is focused on driving Ambition 2035, a 5X
growth objective for the ocean economy for Canada, to grow to $220B by 2035 and build an ocean economy
that is sustainable, digital, and inclusive. This will require a transformation of how we do business in the
ocean and collaboration from coast to coast to coast including Indigenous communities across Canada.
Within Ambition 2035, the OSC is driving strategic conversations in key areas of potential growth including
hydrogen, artificial intelligence (AI) and the blue bioeconomy. Events are happening across the country, and
we encourage Board participation in these important conversations.
The OSC launched in 2018 as one of five Global Innovation Clusters as part of Canada’s innovation strategy
to change the way we invest in innovation and with over 130 projects committed valued at a combined
$500M delivered by 300 projects partners, we are doing just that. Our mandate was renewed in 2023 and
with $125 million endowed to invest in technology commercialization projects that tackle challenges in
scaled ocean energy, sustainable seafood, ocean transportation and ocean climate solutions. In addition,
we were allocated $20M in 2022 to develop a program specific to artificial intelligence (AI) in the ocean and
have been proud to announce 17 projects with AI applications across multiple ocean sectors generating
interest from around the world. This year a further $8M was allotted to OSC for continuing investment in AI.
We are committed to building a strong ecosystem to support the growth of our ocean economy with
investments in building awareness of the opportunity for an inclusive workforce, Canada’s ocean brand and
an increasingly connected national ocean community.
Preferred Candidate Profile and Commitment
Our Board plays a key role in driving our strategy, our investment philosophy, and our drive for
transformational projects that will shape the future of our ocean economy for Canada.
We are looking for a strategic thinker who can help shape our vision as we drive Ambition 2035 forward and
layout a path to organizational sustainability. Ideal candidate will add bench strength in the areas of artificial
intelligence (AI), venture capital, scale-up, or small business/start-ups. Preference will be given to female
identifying candidates, given need for balanced representation and perspectives and anticipated attrition of
current female Board members in coming year. The successful candidate will be appointed at OSC’s Annual
Meeting in September and will serve an initial 2-year term with the potential for renewal for a further term.
Virtual Board meetings are held between 6 and 10 times a year and Board Members are expected to meet in person 1-2 times annually. Overall, we assess the time commitment associated with this position to be 3-4 hours/month. This may increase with Board committee involvement. While this is a volunteer position, OSC
does reimburse travel costs incurred for in-person meetings in accordance with approved policy.
If you are interested in joining our Board, please submit a completed Nomination Form together wit
your CV (together in one PDF file), to nominations@oceansupercluster.ca no later than June 9th. If the
timing or profile for this year’s Board of Directors opportunity does not align for you personally, we will keep
your application on file for future consideration as we have a number of positions turning-over next year as
well and are always seeking ocean leaders for OSC event and engagement opportunities.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals
April 16, 2025
For Immediate Release
(Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has launched its Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals. This new call program is focused on fostering the accelerated development of new and innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects within the ocean sector.
Through its Ocean AI 2025 Program, the OSC will collaboratively invest with industry partners in successful project proposals. This Call for Proposals is designed to support innovative AI projects that drive growth, efficiency, and market expansion within the ocean sector, leveraging the recommendations set out in Charting the Course to 5X growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy. By providing targeted investment, this initiative enables organizations to harness AI’s potential to address complex challenges, enhance operational capabilities, and create new intellectual property that will contribute to the sector’s long-term competitiveness, ultimately strengthening its global leadership.
As technological progress is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, AI stands out as a critical tool to drive operational efficiency, foster innovation, and enable companies to differentiate themselves in the global marketplace. This program will allow companies to not only enhance their immediate capabilities, but also their strategic planning and operations, positioning themselves at the forefront of this technological evolution.
This Call for Proposals is a deadline-driven and competitive framework, providing companies seeking to co-invest with the OSC an avenue to enhance their AI knowledge and capabilities.
The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals is May 16th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ADT/ 1:00 p.m. EDT/ 10:00 a.m. PDT. Full program guidelines can be found here. Complete EOI submissions must be submitted via email to ai@oceansupercluster.ca. To learn more about the Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals, join our webinar on April 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ADT/12:00 p.m. EDT/9:00 a.m. PDT.
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made in Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about the recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy.
-30-
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 120 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
Media Contact:
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches Insights Report on Canada’s Blue Bioeconomy
For Immediate Release
April 8, 2025
(Ottawa, ON) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), together with the National Blue Bioeconomy Steering Committee, launched Canada’s Blue Bioeconomy Insights Report.
Only a fraction of Canada’s available marine resources, such as kelp and microalgae, are currently being utilized. These resources have immense potential to drive economic growth and ocean innovation by combining traditional practices with innovative technologies, allowing Canada to transform aquatic resources into high-value products like nutraceuticals, bio-based materials, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable energy sources.
Projections that the global seaweed industry alone will reach $28 billion annually by 2050 show there is substantial room for growth in the Blue Bioeconomy sector. Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the global transition to sustainable, science-driven aquatic industries, and innovations in aquaculture could allow Canada to bridge the gap between its current output and that of global leaders like Norway.
Under the efforts to support Ambition 2035, a 5X growth potential for Canada’s ocean economy, The Blue Bioeconomy National Steering Committee was formed. With the insights outlined in this new report from industry leaders, researchers, Indigenous leaders, and government officials from across Canada, The National Steering Committee will release a Strategic Approach for Canada to help further shape the rapid growth opportunities in the Blue Bioeconomy – an approach required to realize these opportunities.
A nationally connected Blue Bioeconomy strategy that leverages our strengths and addresses gaps will not only drive economic growth, but also contribute to environmental conservation and social well-being, positioning Canada as a global leader in this evolving field.
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made-in-Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy.
-30-
Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 120 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.
Quotes
“Canada’s ocean sector has a 5X growth potential that can help transform our economy, creating more jobs and positioning Canada as a leader in ocean innovation. Focused efforts on policy development, infrastructure investment, and collaboration between industry leaders and research institutions is imperative to achieving this ambition, including a thriving blue bioeconomy. We are thrilled to put forth this insights report as a step toward fulfilling Canada’s full potential as an ocean nation.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
OSC Current Blog March 2025: Charting the Course to 2035 – A Platform for Canada’s Ocean Economy
By:
Nancy Andrews
Chief Communications and Engagement Officer
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
In 2022, in context of the projected $4 trillion CAD global ocean economy by 2030, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and our country’s ocean community more broadly developed an ambition for our ocean economy called Ambition 2035. For the past couple of years, we’ve been working together to build awareness and a sense of urgency around this 5X growth potential for Canada. Together, we have reached tens of thousands of people across the country with this message, including business leaders, policymakers, and media.
We know it’s in our ocean sector where some of the biggest opportunities for growth exist. As members of Canada’s ocean community, we know what 5X growth can mean for workers, companies, communities, market growth and competitiveness, building strategic partnerships and alliances, and developing more made-in-Canada ocean products and services to sell to the world. Now, as Canada is about to start a new chapter, and where priorities will be set to shape our country’s future, prioritizing the ocean economy and our shared message around it has never been more important.
Two weeks ago, we launched a platform for Canada’s ocean economy called Charting the Course to 2035. It is a platform based on the growth potential set out by Ambition 2035 and a sector that is poised to outpace the growth of the broader economy in the years to come. It provides ideas to help address some of the biggest opportunities and challenges we face as a country, build even stronger and diversified global partnerships, and help drive Canada’s economy forward. Charting the Course to 2035 is a tool that is available for you to use in the weeks and months ahead in conversations with decision makers and influencers across the country, and in particular, when asked if you have recommendations to share. If you haven’t already, you can download Charting the Course here.
The sustainable development of our ocean is one of the most important opportunities of our time. Now is the time to be bold and continue to build awareness, support, and momentum on the path to Ambition 2035. There are incredible things happening in Canada’s ocean sector, and you are an important part of that story. Let’s make sure that’s a story that’s being told. Let’s Chart the Course to 2035, together.
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches the Ambition 2035 Awards to Recognize Top Innovators in the Ocean Industry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2025
[Ottawa, ON] – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the launch of the Ambition 2035 Awards, a national competition to recognize innovative companies driving Canada’s ocean economy toward $220 billion.
The Ambition 2035 Awards celebrates ocean companies that have demonstrated market need, scalability, commercial traction, and investment opportunity. Through a comprehensive judging panel, winners receive funding, mentorship, visibility, and access to global investors. Canadian companies developing innovative solutions for the ocean sector – from early-stage innovators to established leaders – are encouraged to apply and showcase their work on this national stage.
The Ambition 2035 Awards includes three award categories, with prizes totaling $55,000.
- Blue Horizon Award – Recognizing established companies with commercial success and market leadership. ($30,000 CAD)
- Ocean Breakthrough Award – Celebrating emerging companies introducing breakthrough ocean solutions. ($20,000 CAD)
- People’s Choice Award – Awarded to the finalist with the most public engagement in a social media campaign. ($5,000 CAD)
Finalists will receive full travel support to attend the Ambition 2035 Summit in Ottawa from May 21-23, where they will pitch their ideas directly to global investors and industry leaders. As well, they will receive expert coaching to strengthen investment pitches in advance of the Summit, and featured promotion across Canada’s Ocean Supercluster social channels as they compete for the People’s Choice Award.
Applications open on February 25, 2025, with the application deadline on March 21, 2025. Finalists will be announced on April 25, 2025.
To apply or learn more, visit: https://oceansupercluster.ca/ambition-2035-awards/
-30-
Media Contacts
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca
Quotes
“Canada has an opportunity to lead in the global ocean economy, and the Ambition 2035 Awards is our way of spotlighting the innovators who are making this possible,” says Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “This initiative will bring visibility, investment, and growth opportunities to some of the most promising companies in the sector, while enabling overall growth of our ocean economy in line with Ambition 2035.”
The OSC in 2025: Charting the Course to 2035
By: Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
As the holidays now seem like a distant memory, the New Year is off to a busy start with exciting new project proposals under development, the announcement of new projects underway, and planning in full swing for our bi-annual Ambition 2035 Summit where we look forward to convening Canada’s ocean network behind one of the most important opportunities of our time.
2025 is an important year. It marks just 10 years to our collective 5X growth ambition for Canada’s ocean economy, in the backdrop of a global ocean economy on the rise – expected to outpace the broader economy by 2030. And as Canada charts the course for what is next, the ocean economy is an important driver in the potential for economic growth, new jobs, increased productivity and competitiveness, thriving communities, and accelerating the development of more, made-in-Canada ocean technology to sell to the world. With a membership of 800 from across Canada, as well as associate membership world-wide, the OSC is one of the world’s largest blue clusters. With momentum behind us, now is the time.
To date we have more than $500 million in announced and approved projects with partners and collaborators from different ocean sectors across the country. This month we have announced more than $9 million new in projects at an event at The Pier in Halifax, including the Amphibian UWILD Project and the AI-Powered Vessel Automation Toolkit Project from Marine Thinking, worth a combined $4.7 million, and the Forecast AI Project from MarineLabs worth $4.5 million, with more planned project announcements coming up in Ottawa in February and in Vancouver in March.
You will find us participating at a number of key events in Canada and in global markets that you have identified as priority. In the coming weeks, this includes a session on Arctic ocean innovation at the Aqsarniit Conference in Ottawa, a dedicated ocean track at the Canada-in-Asia conference in Singapore, partnering in the delivery of sessions at Ocean Visions in Vancouver, and participating in Hannover Messe in Germany as a part of Canada’s host country programming.
Our major, bi-annual Ambition 2035 Summit event will focus on action towards our collective goal of growing Canada’s ocean economy to $220 billion by 2035 – with the outcomes of research, reporting, and planning by national steering committees in key areas of growth, insights from global experts, and a look at emerging, new opportunities, as well as a challenge competition soon to be launched for both early and mature companies. Stay tuned!
If you are not yet a member of the OSC – now’s the time to get involved. Reach out to membership@oceansupercluster.ca, or visit Membership – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. We’re excited to connect with you!
If you have a project idea – we continue to accept project proposals through our continuous intake, core program. Please reach out to get started!
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays from Canada’s Ocean Supercluster! Click above for a holiday message from our CEO, Kendra MacDonald, and check out some of our 2024 highlights below. 🌊
- Regional events in Iqaluit, Victoria, New Brunswick, and Ottawa
- Major conferences across the country focused roundtable discussions, national steering committee work, all member events, and most recently our Indigenous Ocean Business Forum
- Co-delivered an Ocean AI conference with our partner Forum Oceano in Portugal
- Established an MOU with NOAA
- Represented Canada at Hanover Messe as a part of the Global Innovation Cluster program
- More than 30 new, collaborative projects approved focused on AI and AI Exploration, Sustainable Seafood, Marine Transport, Climate, and Innovation Ecosystem Development
- More than $8 million dollars in project announcements from our first-ever International Call for Proposals with Innovate UK
- Conducted the first-ever national research around the perceptions and pathways for youth in ocean careers in partnership with Sherry Scully
- Launched our On the Job campaign with Shawn Kanungo, now on track to reach more than three-million youth this year alone
- Began a pilot training program in Ocean AI and Technology Foundations for ocean industry professionals
- Established two national steering committees for:
- The development of a strategy for the Blue Bioeconomy in Canada
- A strategic approach for Ocean AI in Canada