March 5, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Montreal) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster launched their new Market Solutions Platform (MSP), a strategic initiative designed to advance the commercial viability of ocean-based climate solutions by addressing the market development gap.
Ocean plays a central role in regulating the climate globally. Ocean-based climate solutions, including marine decarbonization and carbon dioxide removal sectors, have the potential to play a critical role in climate change mitigation while driving significant economic growth. Currently, significant efforts are underway across the scientific research, technology development, policy advancement, and community engagement related components of ocean-based climate solutions, but there is less focus on how to make these solutions economically viable or scalable. By helping create the conditions for the market to develop and scale, ocean-based climate solutions will be well-positioned to realize their environmental and economic potential. Canadian companies are already advancing marine decarbonization and carbon removal projects, and establishing the right market support now will ensure Canada not only captures, but also maintains, a leadership position in this emerging sector before the window of opportunity closes.
The efforts and direction of the MSP initiative will be guided and informed by the insights and expertise of a Strategic Advisory Team that is comprised of senior climate-business leaders with expertise in finance, capital markets, and carbon management, as well as institutional collaboration partners that include S2G Investments , Katapult Ocean, Propeller Ventures, and the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator, based in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
The outputs from MSP will include a portfolio of solution-enablement assets and will vary by the nature of the problem being addressed. Examples include proof of concepts, funding constructs, case studies, leading practices, or applied frontier research.
If you want to learn more about this initiative, please contact akash.rastogi@oceansupercluster.ca, Timothy.Bushman@oceansupercluster.ca, msp@oceansupercluster.ca, or visit https://oceansupercluster.ca/msp/.
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 and the projected benefits to Canada here.
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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 over 150 projects valued at more than $600 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. Every dollar invested in Ocean Supercluster projects generates more than five times its value in GDP contribution, with the following economic benefits to Canada to date:
- $1.7 billion in total economic output
- $1 billion in GDP contribution
- Nearly $748 million in total labour income
- Close to 10,000 jobs created
- $286 million in total tax revenues generated
- Learn more at oceansupercluster.ca.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is strengthening the ocean economy through targeted investments in innovation and technology. The launch of the Market Solutions Platform, led by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, one of Canada’s global innovation clusters, aims to realize the commercial potential of ocean-based climate solutions. This initiative will support Canadian SMEs and innovators by helping them reach new markets more quickly and unlock opportunities for global growth. Collaboration with industry, researchers, communities, and international partners is essential to accelerate progress. We are positioning Canada as a global leader in sustainable ocean innovation while securing the long-term health of our oceans.” – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“Through the Market Solutions Platform, we are creating the frameworks and business models needed to de‑risk investment and accelerate market adoption. This initiative positions Canada as a leader in building the economic foundations for ocean‑based climate solutions to scale, while delivering benefits for people, the environment, and the economy.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“Commercial viability of ocean-based climate solutions is critical for them to achieve their potential – both in terms of climate mitigation and economic growth. However, there are structural business-related risks across the value chain of these solutions that need to be overcome for this to be possible. Market Solution Platform brings razor focus and the requisite expertise to advance the market conditions required to enable their commercial viability.” – Akash Rastogi, Chief Capital Strategy officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster