The objective of this research is to evaluate the employment of the Canadian Navy in a maritime enforcement role within the Canadian maritime zones. This investigation is comprised of two main parts: an analysis of the Canadian political and regulatory structures, as well as an analysis of naval enforcement operations. The marine geography of Atlantic Canada is described through six key ocean-use sectors, followed by an analysis of important oceans policy initiatives, and the federal government's ad hoc approach to security and defence policy formulation. The mandates, jurisdictions, and general capabilities of Canadian federal departments with either direct or indirect links to marine security and maritime enforcement are discussed, as well as the legal framework for the use of Canadian military forces for domestic operations. The second part of the thesis analyses the capabilities that the Navy brings to maritime security and enforcement operations. These include the contribution to maritime domain awareness, government "presence" derived through aerial surveillance, search and rescue operations, and naval support to fisheries enforcement. An analysis of patrol patterns is offered, as well as spatial analyses of at-sea inspection data. Two exploratory studies that address the perceived deterrent value of naval support to fisheries enforcement, and public opinion as it pertains to naval support to constabulary operations are presented, as well as the effect that fisheries support missions have on the combat readiness of warships. The thesis suggests that the Canadian Navy could take on a greater role in domestic enforcement, and a proposal is made for enhanced legal powers. The thesis ends by summarizing the Navy's important role championing and enabling improvement in the government's Marine Security Response System, as well as a whole-of- government approach to maritime surveillance planning.
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