Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty in the arctic. Canadian arctic sovereignty essay 1220 words bartleby. I predicted that would happen in my book, but it was just ironic it did at this time. Arctic sovereignty and security in a climatechanging world 3 executive summary in may of this year, about 200 kilometres north of the arctic circle, representatives from the five coastal states of the arctic gathered in the small town of ilulissat, greenland to discuss the future of the north. During the cold war, arctic security was inseparable from national security, nuclear deterrence and the bipolar rivalry between the american and soviet superpowers. Canada flexes its muscles in scramble for the arctic. Canada heats up rhetoric over claims to north pole. The arctic holds a wealth of newlyaccessible resources, and canada is one of the many nations racing to claim as much of the region as possible. Defending canadian arctic sovereignty is not only about defining the borders and international legal status of the canadian north though this is often the first step that is necessary. Historical and legal study of sovereignty in the canadian north. And make no mistakethis government intends to use it. Securing canadian sovereignty in the arctic canada. The most direct challenge to canadas sovereignty in arctic waters came in 1985, when the u. While theyre tasked to conduct and support sovereignty operations, the rangers are a token military force.
The canadian arctic, one of the defining features of our vast landscape. Harper goes hunting for franklin expedition, takes target. Denmarks sovereignty over all of greenland was recognized by the united states in 1916 and by an international court in 1933. It proclaimed, on the ground for the first time, canadas sovereignty over the entire arctic archipelago. Time was when a prime minister on the cusp of an election campaign would spend those last few days before the writ gladhanding through the more populous regions voterich ontario, say, or battleground quebec. Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty in the arctic, we either use it or lose it. Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty over the arctic. Securing canadian sovereignty in the arctic who owns the. Updating our ideas alternative definitions of sovereignty and security are emerging in the postcold war period. Opinion averting a cold war on ice the new york times.
Third, we must assert our sovereignty over our arctic territory. Protecting canadian arctic sovereignty from donald trump by rob huebert 21. Centre for military, security and strategic studies. With passion and sharp words, arctic front confronts canadas longstanding neglect of the far north and outline what needs to be done to protect our national interest. Defending our sovereignty in the arctic introduction. As a result, canada now faces threats to its northern sovereignty while enjoying new opportunities to expand its territory. Toronto canada announced plans monday to increase its arctic military presence in an effort to assert sovereignty over the northwest passage a potentially oilrich region the united states. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Make no mistake, this government intends to use it.
From the 1920s through the 1940s, the great canadian navigator henry larsen patrolled our arctic waters aboard the famous rcmp schooner st. A house of commons committee is urging the government to work with nato to determine russias military intentions in the north and get help to protect the countrys arctic sovereignty. Prime minister harper has talked tough when it comes to expanding the countrys militarys presence in the far north. With arctic issues once again at the forefront of public debate, this invaluable. I will be asking canadians for their support in the important issues that affect inuit today in the arctic aside from sovereignty. Defending canadas arctic sovereignty becomes a political performance through scientific enterprise as much as one.
Speaking in 2007, for example, harper made it explicitly clear that defending arctic sovereignty was a priority. Scholars must update their interpretations of the words to be more inclusive if we are to reduce the vulnerability and increase the resilience of arctic societies. Ceremonies of possession, science, and sovereignty in the. Arctic front tells the disturbing story of canadas absentmindedness in arctic policymaking over the decades. Harper first unveiled his arctic military development program in 2007, when. Because canadas arctic is central to our national identity as a northern nation. And make no mistake, this government intends to use it. In my mind, arctic sovereignty relates to what i said about canada needing to understand and value what it means to be an arctic nation. Because canadas arctic is central to our identity as a northern nation. This history should fuel a heated national debate as the arctic ice shrinks and new challenges to our sovereignty appear from all directions. Chair, members of the committee, thank you for the invitation to speak to you today as part of your study of canadian sovereignty in our arctic in my opening remarks i will focus on the aspect of your study addressing russian militarization of their northern territories. Hes challenged us ambassador david wilkins over the status of the northwest passage. Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty over the arcticwe either use it or lose it, harper said in 2007 in announcing the aops project. Canada joins rush to claim the arctic financial times.
Defending our sovereignty in the arctic introduction the true north, strong and freea line from our national anthem, and a rallying cry for canadian patriots immediately calls to mind a vast, frozen expanse, a land that most canadians will never visit. Canadas arctic sovereignty is on thin ice now magazine. The united states doesnt recognize canadian sovereignty over arctic waterways, and the issue has been a source of tension. Tony penikett, former ndp leader and premier of the yukon.
How losing a canadian satellite to the us would be like losing our eyes on the north michael byers, the walrus magazine, june 2008 stephen harper boldly claims to be passionately committed to protecting and defending the north. Arctic sovereignty and security in a climatechanging world. In the context of the cold war, canada sent inuit families to the far north in the high arctic relocation, partly to establish territoriality. Defending canadian sovereignty on the international stage my plan for defending our sovereignty involves securing our borders, defending our national institutions, accelerating. In addition to recently moving its entire military command headquarters to the arctic. Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty over the arctic, prime minister stephen harper said. Lackenbauer and kikkert have provided canadians with a wellresearched resource that will in all likelihood.
Harper has gone further, making polar sovereignty a foremost. As ice caps melt, russia stakes its claim to oilrich arctic. Ensuring the people and the communities are strong and healthy is important in asserting canadian sovereignty. Edited transcript of an interview with peter mansbridge pm and sheila wattclouthier swc about the importance to canada and the inuit of protecting arctic sovereignty. This book charts the history of performances of sovereignty over the arctic in the policy and visual representations of the us, canada and russia. The traditional view of arctic security focuses on military defence, especially the protection of national borders and the assertion of state sovereignty over arctic land and water. In defending our nations sovereignty, nothing is as fundamental as protecting canadas. That would open up sea lanes to shipping and allow for more extensive oil and mineral exploration. In recent years, rapid climate change has brought the far north to the publics attention.
Canada to increase military presence in the arctic despite. The canadian forces and arctic sovereignty is a compelling work that provides a nice balance between insight and analysis into the governments decision making process with respect to arctic sovereignty issues between 1968 and 1974. These hearings are happening at an important time because the strategic environment in and. Its promise of economic opportunity and a higher quality of life for canadas northerners must be realized. Defending our sovereignty in the arctic centre for. But, while we may not visit it, we have always known that we canadians owned it. Through a lively and engaging history of the region, arctic front reveals how canadians and their governments have. The canadian forces and arctic sovereignty wlu press. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. Canada announced plans monday to increase its arctic military presence in an effort to assert sovereignty over the northwest passage a potentially oilrich region the united states claims is. Harper goes hunting for franklin expeditiongjoa haven, nunavut stephen harpers argument for canadian sovereignty in the far north took a decidedly historic turn wednesday as the prime minister dropped in on scientists and coast guard officers hunting for the wreckage of the lost franklin expedition. What is the federal governments strategy to support its claims to sovereignty in the high arctic.
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