Bill C-26 is intended to provide for the integrated management of theoceans and marine resources within Canada’s jurisdiction. The billsets out Canadian jurisdiction in the territorial sea, thecontiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone, and the continentalshelf in accordance with the United Nations Law of the SeaConvention. It defines a framework for a national oceans managementstrategy based on sustainable development, a precautionary approach,and integrated management plans for oceans and coastal resources andactivities. These promising provisions suffer from limitedcommitment to sustainable development principles, lack of detailsand clarity about the intended oceans management strategy, andlimited embrace of integration in management planning. The bill ahoredefines the organizational responsibilities for Canada’s oceans ina way that significantly enhances the role of the minister offisheries and oceans. In fulfilling these functions, the minister islikely to have to share responsibilities with other stakeholdersrather more than Bill C-26 actually requires, if its integrativemanagement objectives are to be attained.