Moratorium on deep-sea mining

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to lead at the International Seabed Authority in reaffirming a moratorium on deep-sea mining and to launch a federal campaign to recycle and reuse critical minerals. The government responds it will pursue science-based, precautionary engagement at the ISA and advance its Critical Minerals Strategy to boost recycling and circularity.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WHEREAS: 1. The United Nations Covenant on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has designated the deep seas as the common heritage of mankind. 2. The deep sea is home to the greatest diversity of species on Earth, yet deep seabed mining would cause irreversible harm to the ocean and destroy fragile ecosystems that have evolved over millions of years and have yet to be discovered. 3. The deep sea is the largest carbon sink on earth, absorbing about 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Seabed mining could threaten carbon sequestration and storage, leading to more climate chaos. 4. Lack of sufficient knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems and impacts of mining goes against the scientific "precautionary principle". 5. Enormous machines scraping up metallic nodules would create gigantic sediment plumes and destroy deep seabed organisms. 6. By improving recycling and re-using critical minerals we have now, and making land- based mining reforms, we can avoid mining the deep seabed. Battery technology is advancing with alternatives not found on the seabed. 7. Human rights of coastal communities must be recognized. Discharge from mining vessels and climate disruption would impact fishing and food security. WE, THE UNDERSIGNED CITIZENS OF CANADA, CALL UPON THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO: 1. Take a leadership role within Canada and together with members of the International Seabed Authority to re-affirm support for a moratorium on deep sea mining. 2. Promote a federal campaign for the recycling and reuse of critical minerals in order to preserve the integrity of the oceans for future generations.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant Part 1: Canada is committed to the protection, conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ocean ecosystems, and recognizes the importance of a healthy ocean for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the benefit of future generations. Canada supports science-based decision-making and a precautionary approach to activities that may affect the marine environment. Canada's position on seabed mining in areas beyond national jurisdictions, which was elaborated in 2023, reflects the view that decisions regarding commercial seabed mining should be informed by sound, evidence-based science and supported by a rigorous regulatory framework. Canada will therefore continue to monitor scientific developments and participate actively in international discussions on the future governance of seabed mining. Canada remains actively engaged at the International Seabed Authority, the international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to regulate mineral-related activities in the high seas. For more than two decades, Canada has played an active and constructive role at the Authority, and we continue to work with international partners to strengthen the governance of activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Through its engagement with the Authority, Canada advocates for strong environmental protections, transparency, science-based decision-making, and effective international oversight of seabed mining activities. Canada will continue to work with other Member States to ensure that the protection of the marine environment remains a central consideration in ongoing discussions regarding the future of seabed mining, including through continued leadership and constructive engagement in all relevant international forums. Canada will continue to uphold its rights and obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to advocate for the protection, conservation and restoration of the global ocean through science-based, transparent and precautionary approaches to ocean governance. Response by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Signed by The Honourable Tim Hodgson, P.C., M.P. The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy (the Strategy), launched in 2022, seeks to advance Canada’s circular economy by aiming to keep mineral resources in circulation and minimizing industrial waste through recycling, mining value from waste, and securing resources from alternative sources. Under this circular economy approach, Canada is seeking to enhance the security of its critical mineral supply in the face of growing demand. Recycling and circular economy priorities under the Strategy include: advancing research and development and commercialization of recycling technologies, prioritizing the recovery of co-products from processing and by-products from mine tailings and defence waste streams, implementing product labeling and supply chain traceability, and partnering with international allies on trade and standards to secure global feedstocks while promoting sustainability and responsible sourcing. To advance these priorities, a variety of programs and initiatives under the Strategy are administered by Natural Resources Canada, as well as other departments, including the Critical Mineral Research, Development and Demonstration Program, the Global Partnerships Initiative, the Mining Value from Waste Program, and the Critical Battery Materials Initiative administered by the National Research Council. Canada is also collaborating with international partners on enhancing critical mineral circularity. For example, G7 leaders recently emphasized cooperation on circular economy and recycling in a Critical Minerals Declaration issued in June 2026. The Declaration includes commitments to set specific critical mineral recycling targets by the end of 2026 to meet a significant share of G7 demand via recycled capacity by 2030, deploy regulatory and economic tools to build competitive secondary markets including recycled content mandates, implement digital traceability and Extended Producer Responsibility to prevent illegal waste transfers, and accelerate reprocessing from alternative sources such as tailings and mining waste.