Her research focuses on integrated coastal management, marine spatial planning and marine protected areas, as well as the application of Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) for seascape visualization and decision support, particularly in collaborative settings. Her other areas of expertise are recreational boating, shipping and aquaculture. Canessa is a board member of Coastal Zone Canada Association and Parks Canada National Marine Conservation Area Science Network. She holds a B.Sc. in marine biology from McGill University, M.Sc. in marine resource development and protection from Heriot–Watt University (Edinburgh) and Ph.D. in geography from the University of Victoria.