Join us during the month of October for a guided tour of Canada’s marine industry and the diversity of opportunities it has to offer.

Canada has 243,000 kilometres of coastline and 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater, and its rivers discharge close to 9 percent of the world’s renewable water supply. So much water allows for a diversity of marine industries which represent a source of economic growth, job creation, and innovation. Most young people in Canada, however, have never heard anything about its wide variety of careers. That’s what inspired Marine Month in Canada.

Over the next 10 years, 43 per cent of the current marine workforce is expected to retire. The Canadian marine sector will need to hire 19,000 workers onboard vessels and many more ashore to keep up with industry demand — workers with interests and skills in navigation, engineering, the environment, technology, security, logistics, professional services, tourism and trades. To spark curiosity, Canadian Geographic Education and the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation invite you to join us during the month of October to learn more about the industries, careers, sustainability initiatives, advanced technologies, adventures and fulfilling futures that are possible when you Imagine Marine.

Participation in Marine Month is free. The program is designed for Grade 5-8 classes in Canada, but all learners are welcome! Take a look at our schedule of live virtual events below, and download our learning activities to celebrate Marine Month in your classroom!

Schedule of events

All events are virtual and last approximately 40 minutes. Register for as many events as you like using the button at the bottom of this list! All educators and learners in classrooms, homeschools and informal educational settings are invited to join.

Note: if you are unable to join the live events due to a scheduling conflict, please register for events that you are interested in nonetheless. We will share recordings of the events which you can watch later at your convenience!

• October 13 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Canadian Coast Guard
  • Spend the morning learning about the Government of Canada’s civilian fleet responsible for search and rescue, environmental response, icebreaking, marine communications and traffic services, aids to navigation, abandoned or hazardous vessels, and more.
  • Students will learn about Coast Guard operations in the Arctic, including icebreaking, ice analysis, and hovercraft operations.
• October 17 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Algoma Central Corporation  
  • Algoma Central Corporation carries essential goods that are a part of our everyday lives, including the products that feed us, keep our roads safe, help build our communities and move us forward.
  • Seek Adventure! Students will “hitchhike a ride” on the Algoma Conveyor carrying salt from the Port of Goderich, Ontario to Lock 7 in the Welland canal. Tour the ship and hear from the crew about their work and life aboard! Where do you see yourself fit in in this world over water?
• October 18 – 9:00 a.m. ET – Marine Atlantic   
  • Ever wonder how your favourite snacks make it to grocery store shelves? Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know! Marine Atlantic is a ferry operator and key transportation link between Newfoundland and Labrador and mainland Canada – they transport people, vehicles, and goods across the Cabot Strait.
  • During this interactive presentation, students will learn about Marine Atlantic’s day-to-day operations and about the people who transport people and cargo to the most easterly province in Canada!
• October 20 – 12:00 p.m. ET – British Columbia Coast Pilots
  • Why do ships need a pilot? Ensuring the safe and efficient movements of vessels on the British Columbia coast, these experts have specialised knowledge of local waters and navigation techniques.
  • Marine pilots will take students for a tour inside a real-life marine training simulator to learn how they determine the safest route for the captain to bring a vessel to its port of call, and how this route can change daily depending on factors like other marine traffic, winds, weather and tides.
• October 23 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Ocean Group
  • Meet Canada’s shipbuilders. Towing, salvage, shipbuilding, repair and maintenance, port and terminal operations, dredging, and oversized cargo – they do it all!
  • Students will learn about the amazing careers related to building vessels in their Quebec shipyard and the role that the mighty tugboat plays in moving extra big and heavy cargo, helping large ships and keeping harbours and waterways operating smoothly around Canada!
• October 24 – 1:00 p.m. ET – British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
  • Students will get a fascinating behind the scenes look into one of the largest passenger ferry services in the world!
  • British Columbia Ferries Inc. play a critical role in connecting over 45 communities up and down the coast; over 400 times a day! A dynamic company of over 5000 employees based in beautiful coastal communities, promoting tourism, and driving overall development.
• October 25 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Canada Steamship Lines 
  • Montreal-based CSL has been putting its self-unloading ships, bulk carriers, multi-purpose product vessels, transhippers, and barges to use since 1845!
  • Life Aboard a Laker: Where do you get to travel on a CSL ship in Canadian waters? What kind of marine life do you see? What’s the food like? Students will learn everything they need to know about life working on board a CSL ship along with the cool technologies and environmental programs the company have adopted!
• October 26 – 11:00 a.m. ET – Transport Canada
  • Who makes sure our waters are used safely, securely, efficiently and in an environmentally responsible way? Transport Canada!
  • Students will hear from a marine inspector on how to do an inspection on a tugboat along with their personal career journey to train as a mariner and become an inspector. Students will also learn how seafarer training works in Canada and the role Transport Canada plays.

Note: classes will be able to ask questions on camera or via the chat, but if time runs out, they may also submit questions anytime after an event concludes! The staff at Can Geo Education will manage all communications, and will ensure your students get the answers they are looking for. Curiosity is encouraged! Submit all questions to [email protected] with reference to the event/organization in question.

Educational resources

Want to extend your students’ learning? Our resources are digital and print-friendly! Below are eleven activities designed to be completed in 20 minutes, and to encourage students to use their STEAM skills.

Questions?

If you have questions about the Marine Month program, please contact us at [email protected].