Ottawa, Ontario (March 17, 2009) - “Oceans and Marine Life Polar Day”, an International Polar Year (IPY) webcast event, is taking place on March 18, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the theatre of the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.

“Our Government has made a tremendous contribution to Arctic research during International Polar Year. Polar Days are a great opportunity to share the initial findings of this research with the public” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-status Indians. “This event will offer Canadians the opportunity to learn about the exciting research in the area of oceans and marine life that has an impact on Canadians' health and well-being.”

The webcast will feature presentations about marine mammal research including satellite tagging of beluga whales, and a live link to researchers on the ice of the Beaufort Sea examining key big-picture science issues about air-surface chemical interactions in the Arctic. This event is one of several IPY education and outreach activities focussing on ocean science in the polar regions taking place around the world in March.

Representatives from the Ottawa Inuit Community, Students on Ice and the Circumpolar Young Leaders Program, as well as members of Northern Aboriginal organizations, Ottawa universities and high schools will participate in the live event.

There will also be displays at the Museum of Civilization by federal departments leading Canada’s IPY program. Other activities include an online forum in which students from around the globe will speak with experts and other people living and working in the North, learning about IPY polar ocean research. In addition, viewers can launch virtual weather balloons showing their location and see other balloons from around the world.

To learn more about “Oceans and Marine Life Polar Day” events in Canada and around the world, as well as other national and international initiatives related to International Polar Year, we invite you to visit the International Polar Year Web site  .