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A National Ocean Research Network With a Clear Purpose

Our Story

MEOPAR’s story is one of sustained investment in Canadian ocean science. Since 2012, we have grown alongside the researchers and communities we serve, as a third party science organization funded by the Government of Canada.
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Our Mandate

We’re dedicated to funding research, training students, mobilizing ocean-based knowledge, and forming research partnerships to benefit the economy, and Canadian communities from coast to coast to coast.
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How We’re Funded

From an initial $25 million investment in 2012, to renewed funding of $28.5 million in 2017 from the Network Centres of Excellence (NCE/Government of Canada), to $38.1 million in 2024 from the Strategic Science Fund (SSF/Government of Canada), each chapter of MEOPAR’s growth has reflected a deepening national commitment to ocean research. Beyond federal support, MEOPAR is strengthened by leveraged funding and in-kind contributions from universities, partner organizations, and industry across Canada.

Our Partners

The MEOPAR Research Ecosystem

Governance

Our Board

Our Board governs our activities through dynamic committees that oversee our work.
Dr. Siddika MithaniChair

Retired – former Deputy Minister – Public Health Agency of Canada, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Board Sub-committee
  • People Policy & Compensation Committee (PPC)
Ms. Susan HuntVice Chair

Qikiqtaaluk Corporation

Board Sub-committee
  • Chair of the People Policy & Compensation Committee (PPC)
Mr. Thomas Beaver

Retired – former Chief Audit Executive and Head, Risk Management, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Board Sub-committee
  • Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee (FARM)
Dr. John Osler

Centre Director, Atlantic Research Centre, Defence Research and Development Canada

Board Sub-committee
  • Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee (FARM)
  • Strategic Science Advsiory Committee (SSAC)
Dr. Guillaume St. Onge

Director, Institut de la mer de Rimouski

Board Sub-committee
  • Chair of the Strategic Science Advsiory Committee (SSAC)
Ms. Susan KennedyCPA

Retired – former Vice President, Corporate Services – C-Core

Board Sub-committee
  • Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee (FARM)
  • Governance Committee (GOV)
Ms. Lerato, ChondomaLL.B, MBA

Associate Vice-President, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, Acadia University

Board Sub-committee
  • Governance Committee (GOV)
  • People Policy & Compensation Committee (PPC)
Dr. Jason Goldsworthy

Executive Director, COAST

Board Sub-committee
  • Chair of the Governance Committee (GOV)
  • Strategic Science Advsiory Committee (SSAC)

Our Science Strategy 2025 2030

This document outlines how MEOPAR will advance Canada’s scientific capacity to anticipate and respond to climate change and technological challenges through a coordinated national approach. By bringing together ocean-connected organizations, sectors, regions, and communities, it aims to build resilience in coastal and Indigenous communities, strengthen sustainable Blue Economy opportunities, support adaptation to climate change, and protect marine biodiversity through 2030.
Download the PDFSee our Policies

Our Member Institutions

MEOPAR’s network spans universities and post-secondary institutions across Canada, bringing together some of the country’s leading academic minds in ocean and marine science. Our member institutions are where the next generation of ocean researchers are trained, supported, and launched into careers that shape the future of Canadian ocean science.

Acadia University
University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
Brock University
University of Calgary
Dalhousie University
University of the Fraser Valley
University of Guelph
Lakehead University
Université Laval
University of Manitoba
McGill University
Memorial University of Newfoundland
University of Moncton
University of New Brunswick

Nova Scotia Community College
University of Ottawa
University of Prince Edward Island
Université du Québec à Montréal
Université du Québec à Rimouski
Queens University
Saint Mary’s University
University of Saskatchewan
Simon Fraser University
St. Francis Xavier University
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
University of Victoria
University of Waterloo
University of Ontario Western
University of Windsor
York University

Join our network

Connect with researchers, innovators, and ocean leaders across Canada.
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