The federal government has announced new measures to protect oceans and improve marine safety.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Monday in Vancouver, promising $1.5 billion for the national Oceans Protection Plan.

The investment will aim to create a “world leading” marine safety network, while strengthening ties with indigenous communities and local emergency responders. Major funds will be dedicated to spill clean-up research and restoration of marine ecosystems.

The announcement comes just a day after a barge flipped and sank not far from the site on British Columbia's central coast where a tug ran aground last month, spilling more than 100,000 litres of diesel fuel from its tanks.

"The ongoing incident at Bella Bella is unacceptable. I know this, you know this, Canadians know this," said Trudeau, who made the announcement in Vancouver's Stanley Park, right next to the Burrard Inlet.

"It's time for a change. As a community we need to protect our magnificent oceans and reopening the Kitsilano Coast Guard base was an important first step."

Trudeau said the coast guard station was a down payment on a much larger plan.

"We must make sure we protect all of our coast lines, not just the ones we're on right now."

Ottawa says they have been working on the plan for two years.

Environmental groups remain skeptical, claiming the plan will make no difference if a tanker carrying oil from the oilsands springs a leak, pointing to research stating bitumen simply “sinks into the water column.”

“People need to realize response to a tar sands spill is mostly just for show,” said Wilderness Committee Climate Campaigner Peter McCartney. “Once that oil sinks, it’s game over. Nobody knows how to clean it up.”

Protesters attended the announcement in Stanley Park, voicing opposition to the Kinder Morgan Pipeline expansion.

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