Diana Fox Carney appointed Canada's 1st ocean envoy, chair of Our Ocean Conference

Diana Fox Carney — Prime Minister Mark Carney's wife — is stepping into an unpaid role focused on ocean conservation, including chairing an international conference set to take place in Halifax next year.

Halifax to host international conference on ocean conservation in 2027

David Cummings · CBC News

· Posted: Sep 16, 2026 5:20 PM EDT | Last Updated: 22 minutes ago

Listen to this article

Estimated 3 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Diana Fox Carney — Prime Minister Mark Carney's wife — is stepping into an unpaid role focused on ocean conservation.

As the country's ocean envoy, Fox Carney will "advance Canada's leadership by connecting ocean conservation, climate action, Indigenous leadership, economic resilience and maritime security," according to a news release.

Fox Carney will also chair the 12th annual Our Ocean Conference, an international gathering that convenes governments, organizations and academics to address modern ocean issues.

The conference will take place in Halifax next year.

"Canada has an opportunity to showcase its leadership in ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, ocean science and Indigenous-led stewardship" at the 2027 conference, Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson said in a statement.

WATCH | Halifax hosting Our Ocean Conference in 2027:

Ocean issues will get global attention in Halifax in 2027

June 9|

Duration 2:21

Atlantic Canada will play host to the Our Ocean Conference in 2027, which will explore issues of environment, economy and culture — with an eye to protecting 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030. The CBC’s Leila Beaudoin reports.

"I look forward to working with Diana Fox Carney on this important conference for Canada." 

The announcement said the upcoming conference is an important step toward Ottawa's commitment to protect 30 per cent of Canada's marine and coastal areas by 2030.

"The conference will provide an opportunity to deepen co-operation, share knowledge and experience and secure commitments to ensure healthy and sustainable oceans for future generations," Fox Carney said in a statement.

Career in economics, environment

Until now, Fox Carney's role largely remained on the periphery of her husband's first 18 months as Canada's 24th prime minister. 

Having originally drawn Carney's attention by skating circles around her hockey opponents at the University of Oxford — where they were both students and where the now prime minister played goalie on the men's team — Fox Carney has built a notable career as an economist and environmentalist in her own right.

Fox Carney holds master's degrees in agricultural economics from Oxford and international relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

• Carney announces $3.8B to protect nature, new conservation sites in James Bay and Manitoba

• Canada promised new parks and nature protection. Has that shifted with Carney in power?

Throughout her career, Fox Carney has served on the boards of a number of not-for-profit organizations and has held senior roles at prominent think-tanks in both Canada and the U.K., championing environmental issues and income equality among other issues.

In 2013, she drew controversy over a paper she contributed to the Canada 2020 think-tank looking to reignite discussions on carbon pricing in Canada.

WATCH | Diana Fox Carney on CBC's Power & Politics in 2013:

Putting a price on carbon

April 18, 2013|

Duration 13:03

Experts debate why carbon tax is such a polarized political topic

In 2021, Fox Carney started a new role as senior adviser at the Eurasia Group, a political research and consulting firm which offers advice to businesses and politicians around the world.