The Hill Times CANADA’S Policy Briefing, November 15, 2010 NORTH

Photograph by Corporal Rick Ayer, Formation Imaging Services, Halifax, Nova Scotia The HMCS Montréal pictured Aug. 20, 2010, off the coast of Grise Fiord, Canada’s most northern community, in Jones Sounds during Operation Nanook.

THE ISSUES AND MORE ICE SUPERHIGHWAY The latest on the $16.2-billion Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline Canada’s world-renowned ‘ice superhighway’ is critical to and the latest on defence, security and sovereignty in Northwest Territories’ economy, contributing in excess of Canada’s North. INSIDE . $1-billion annually, says Tim Patterson. p. 43 NEW REALITY IN ARTIC We’re concerned about the essentially military approach N.W.T. DEVOLUTION being pursued by the government in Canada’s North, says AIP to transfer control to N.W.T. over lands and resources great, Bloc Québécois MP Pierre Paquette p. 35 but it needs the aboriginal governments in northern political future, says NDP MP Dennis Bevington. p. 36 PM’S NORTHERN STRATEGY Prime Minister has made the Canadian North his personal ARCTIC SOVEREIGNTY priority and plans to make his ‘northern vision’ a reality, says It’s time for a Canada-Russia Arctic partnership, says Liberal Conservative Sen. Pamela Wallin. p. 37 Senator Roméo Dallaire. p. 38 NATURAL RESOURCES CLIMATE CHANGE We need to increase our visible presence using the Coast Guard, Climate change in Canada’s North should not be exploited by and Canadian Forces, says Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc p. 35 feds, says Alberta Liberal Senator Grant Mitchell. p. 34

NORTHERN REGIONAL MINISTER CYBER COOPERATION Exercising our sovereignty in the North must be a priority, says It’s time to create cyber cooperation in Canadian Arctic, says Leona Aglukkaq, regional minister for the North. p. 39 D.R.F. Taylor. p. 40 30 THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : MACKENZIE VALLEY PIPELINE

not optimistic. “What started out, Resources Minister Christian Para- say, a decade ago as being a project dis (Mégantic-L’Érable, Que.) to with a lot of purpose, now is very apply to Cabinet for final approval. questionable,” he said last week. Even with all the necessary “Five, seven years of regula- approvals, the companies may tory delays later, suddenly we still decide the pipeline isn’t worth indeed recognize that there was it because of current market con- indeed a window for this project, ditions or because it can’t com- and it may not have closed, but pete with cheaper alternatives. it’s quickly closing,” said Brendan Gas prices are extremely low. Bell, a consultant who covered the Global energy adviser Ziff Ener- pipeline file when he was minister gy Group estimated in a June responsible for energy and min- report that the 2010 year average ing in the Northwest Territories gas to oil price ratio so far has government the mid-2000s. been 1:17, whereas it has histori- Stephen Hazell, a lawyer with cally sat between 1:8 and 1:10. the environmental law group New technologies mean Ecojustice, is even less optimistic: industry is finding easier ways to “The Mackenzie gas project is get at shale gas, trapped within dead,” he said. cracks of sedimentary rock. He noted that the groups That’s opened up new extraction pushing for the pipeline are in sites in the south that are more closed-door talks with the federal accessible. government over financial aspects The Mackenzie Valley pipe- of the project such as royalties line also faces competition from and taxes. He said Imperial had another that is being developed asked for up to $2-billion in fiscal in Alaska. incentives such as deferred royal- While the Mackenzie Valley Photographs by Jake Wright, The Hill Times ties and loan guarantees. Mr. Rol- pipeline would only draw from Mackenzie Valley Pipeline and politics: Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis and Government House Leader and heiser did not confirm or deny the onshore deposits, the historic acting Environment Minister John Baird. The MacKenzie Valley pipeline is ‘dead,’ says Stephen Hazell. number because he said the talks environmental damage done are confidential. by the BP oil spill in the Gulf “There’s just no way that even of Mexico has put pressure on a government dominated by MPs companies operating offshore. from oil country, from Alberta, Canada currently has no deep- is going to hand out that kind of sea offshore Arctic drilling hap- Observers split on reality money,” said Mr. Hazell. “Espe- pening and it won’t until at least cially when there’s international 2014. The NEB is undergoing a pressure to eliminate subsidies to review of offshore Arctic drill- the fossil fuel industry.” ing, which it expects to continue The project requires risk sharing, with public meetings in the North of $16.2-billion Mackenzie said Mr. Bell, who is also a former through this spring. Canadian federal Conservative candidate. regulators are also closely watch- “Clearly, there’s a government ing the results of American inqui- role.…But that doesn’t mean that ries into the Gulf disaster and say Valley pipeline project government is going to absorb they’ll apply the lessons learned all the risk. And I can tell you my to Canada’s oil and gas industry. opinion: the Prime Minister is not “It depends upon what the and hope for the people and they going to put the country in a posi- NEB says and the conditions they Doomed or destined for development in the near invested, they got trained. And tion like that, where this is all on place upon [the Mackenzie Val- here we are three years late, four the backs of the taxpayers. That ley pipeline project], but it would future, it’s not likely the Mackenzie Valley pipeline will years late, and these people are means that there are going to be be hard to imagine that the four be off the federal government’s radar any time soon. having a hard time surviving.” some very difficult negotiations.” companies that are involved in Barrie Robb, vice-president of If the project moves through it are still going to be involved cubic feet per day of natural gas the Mackenzie Aboriginal Cor- the end of the regulatory process in it after they’ve read the deci- By KRISTEN SHANE could be available to move through poration, an aboriginal-owned and it comes time for the compa- sion,” said Mr. Doig. Those with a the pipeline in its infancy. construction company, said he nies to decide whether it’s worth smaller stake may quit, he said. bservers and actors involved In 2004, an independent joint believes his company is well- it to build, “We would need to see “We continue to believe that Oin the Mackenzie Valley review panel began to study poten- positioned to work on the pipe- sufficient progress on a fiscal despite the current economic pipeline project are split about tial environmental, socio-economic line. But since it’s on the back framework that would give us downtown and other conditions whether the $16.2-billion scheme effects of the project, and a paral- burner, he said his corporation confidence to re-staff the project,” that the North American energy is a pipedream that market lel study by the National Energy is instead focusing on building a said Mr. Rolheiser. and particularly natural gas conditions won’t support or a Board, an arm’s-length federal road along the same corridor that Observers said the federal demand will continue to grow,” plan that has all the support and regulator, began dealing with engi- could also prompt economic gen- government had largely sup- said Mr. Rolheiser. “Combined potential to create jobs and allow neering, safety and other issues. eration and help lower the cost of ported the project so far. It set with natural declines in existing cash to flow North. The panel released its concluding transporting supplies to build a aside $500-million over 10 years conventional natural gas produc- Since large natural gas depos- report with 176 recommendations pipeline, eventually. to help communities along the tion, we believe [that] positions the its were first discovered in the in December 2009, only a frac- “Those of us who work and live pipeline route deal with planning MacKenzie gas project as a sig- Beaufort Sea area more than tion of which were initially fully or have lived in the North, I think and construction impacts. nificant new supply source for the 30 years ago, plans have been accepted by the federal and North- we see that it’s something that Last year, The Globe and Mail longer-term American market.” in development to run a pipe- west Territories governments. should happen. We’d love to see it indicated that Conservative MP Mr. Rolheiser could only line from nearby Inuvik, N.W.T. National Energy Board happen, but who knows,” he said. Jim Prentice (Calgary Centre- speak for his own company in through the territory along spokesperson Sarah Kiley said Depending on who you ask, North, Alta.), the now-former explaining that Imperial remains the Mackenzie River Valley to last week she expects to receive the regulatory process has been minister who had stick-handled committed to the project, but said northwestern Alberta. It would the governments’ final report on bogged down by proponent mis- the file since 2006, met with com- he hadn’t heard differently from tap underground resources in the recommendations within the management, southern environ- panies involved and outlined a the other companies involved. Canada’s North and flow the gas next two weeks. mental groups erecting obstacles financial package to provide infra- But Mr. Doig also noted the to its fuel-hungry south. A 1970s Then, the NEB will take about or red tape. structure support for the project project’s $16.2-billion cost hasn’t royal commission put plans on ice 30 days to review it and release And even with the green and some level of risk-sharing. budged for years, and may not for a decade. With several land its own decision on whether the light from the NEB, construction “In a lot of ways Jim Prentice reflect today’s prices. The com- claims settled and better market project should go ahead. If these isn’t an automatic next step. The was too close to this file. There panies published that number in conditions, the idea resurfaced timelines are kept, proponents companies involved would need was always the possibility of March 2007, said Mr. Rolheiser, and in the early 2000s. It was hatched expect to see an NEB decision to do fieldwork, develop agree- somewhere along the line him there is no published update yet. by petroleum companies Cono- before Christmas. ments with First Nations not part being challenged as being biased. “We said, to see a figure of coPhillips, Shell Canada, Exxon- Aboriginal Pipeline Group of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, There has been cases before, $20-billion wouldn’t be out of Mobil and group leader Imperial chair Fred Carmichael said the and get thousands of permits for I mean, he’s been out at times the realm of possibility,” said Mr. Oil Ltd., which have interests in project would bring jobs, busi- everything from creek crossings championing this project. At the Doig last week. three natural gas fields around ness development and support to barge landings, said Pius Rol- same time he’s supposed to be Mr. Carmichael said he thought Inuvik. for aboriginal self-sufficiency. heiser, Imperial Oil spokesperson. the head referee,” said Mr. Doig. the proponents’ price tag was still They began working in part- But he said he’s frustrated its If nothing is derailed, they may The new minister in charge, roughly in the right range. nership with the Aboriginal Pipe- development has been so slow. be in a place to decide by 2014 John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Doomed or destined for devel- line Group, a consortium of ter- People living along pipeline hubs, whether it’s worth the cost to pro- Ont.), will have to catch up on the opment in the near future, it’s not ritorial aboriginal groups that has who have been preparing for its ceed with construction. And if they file, but will also bring a fresh likely the Mackenzie Valley pipe- secured one-third ownership right arrival for years by expanding do press ahead, the first hammer outlook, he said. line will be off the federal gov- of the proposed pipeline. They their businesses, for instance, likely won’t hit a nail until 2017. If the NEB decides the project ernment’s radar any time soon. proposed a 1,200-kilometre natural are feeling the delays, he said. Given the delays, independent oil is in the public interest and gives [email protected] gas pipeline. As much as 1.2 billion “It brought a lot of excitement industry analyst Ian Doig said he’s it the go-ahead, it’s up to Natural The Hill Times THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 31 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : POLITICAL LEADERSHIP & THE NORTH

buildings. And yet the federal government bread-and-butter infrastructure project hasn’t engaged in that one at all,” he said. that could be funded further. The inter- Arctic leaders call for The federal government has neglected net is key to facilitating social benefits simple ways of reducing the high cost of through telemedicine and tele-education. living in the North such as through invest- Mr. Bell said sometimes people get the ing in biomass heating from wood pellets, false impression that this government is said Mr. Bevington, which he said is about stationing swaths of troops and tanks in bigger investments in half the cost of fuel oil. the North, which is not at all the case. It is, “It’s very easy to stand on your soap box however, modernizing the Canadian Rang- and say we need new defence equipment to ers program, for instance. stand up for sovereignty. It’s another thing “We’re not talking about stationing communities, job creation to work with the governments to change the troops and building garrisons here at this situation when it comes to the importance point. These rangers are local people in of housing and education and a whole range communities who provide search and res- former Northwest Territories Cabinet minister of things that can change peoples’ lives and cue in communities, making life safer. [Peo- By KRISTEN SHANE and former federal Conservative candidate. make them more sustainable,” he said. ple] that are getting the skills and provid- But NDP MP Dennis Bevington (Western Former Nunavut premier Paul Okalik says ing the expertise and traditional knowledge ecurity and sovereignty in Canada’s Arctic, N.W.T.) has noted that the govern- northern residents need actual infrastructure that, quite honestly, people need if they’re SNorth should be protected not just ment can be too focused on big capital- they can use, that people in the South take for going to be doing business in the North.” through patrol ships and boots on the intensive wealth-generating projects such granted. He decried the Conservative decision Mr. Okalik said he’s looking for more ground, but through empowering people as the pipeline, when it really needs to be to fortify a deep-sea port in Nanisivik, more than just, “Use it or lose it” rhetoric from by investing in infrastructure in communi- working on sustainable growth through than 1,100 nautical miles north of Iqaluit, the the Prime Minister. ties and job creation, say Arctic leaders. tourism, and renewable energy, for instance. capital of Nunavut, while Iqaluit has no port. “We actually use it. And we don’t plan “The first and highest priority of our “Where they really haven’t done the “We get quite a few sea vessels that to lose it. He can say all he wants but we northern strategy is the protection of work is by reducing the cost of living for offload. But it takes them a week to will continue to use it, as we need to. But our Arctic sovereignty,” Prime Minister people in the North by investing in clean offload, whereas it could take less than a it would be nice to get some support for Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, energy,” said Mr. Bevington. “The govern- day down south,” he said. infrastructure, like ports and facilities, Alta.) told reporters during his most ment of Northwest Territories right now The government has worked to that we can actually use to offset our high recent tour of Canada’s North, which has is probably leading Canada in terms of improve broadband internet access in the costs of living.” become his summertime ritual since he conversion of biomass energy for heating North, said Mr. Bevington, but it’s another The Hill Times came into office.
Mr. Harper has promoted sovereignty in the North through several defence- related announcements including the purchase of an icebreaker and six to eight new patrol ships. National Inuit leader Mary Simon said the best way to assert sovereignty in the Arctic is with healthy communities. “Our communities need better infrastructure, more housing, better health care, and bet- The polar bear barometer ter education,” she said in an email to The Hill Times last week. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty (Whitby- Oshawa, Ont.) announced $200-million over two years for social housing support for the North in his 2009 budget. Just last week, health minister and minister responsible for the North Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut) announced that the permanent headquarters of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) would be built in Iqaluit, Nuna- vut. The agency, whose mandate is to deliv- er federal economic development programs tailored to Canada’s North, was created by the Harper government last year. Having Ms. Aglukkaq, an Inuk born in the North, at the Cabinet table, is another first. “This is the first time in our history that we have dealt with a fellow Inuk in the Cabinet. So Leona Aglukkaq does stand out for us on that front,” said Ms. Simon. Other Cabinet ministers that have been influential on Canada’s northern issues include former Indian Affairs ministers Jim Prentice (Calgary Centre-North, Alta.) and Chuck Strahl (Chilliwack-Fraser Can- yon, B.C.). Mr. Prentice was the federal govern- ment’s minister in charge of the Macken- zie Valley pipeline project, which is meant to transport natural gas from Northwest CLIMATE CHANGE Territories to southern markets. It’s cur- rently winding its way through the federal Peter de Groot with students Michelle Viengkone, Georgia Meban-de Groot, Chris Harris, Candace Scott and Kim McClelland. regulatory process. Barrie Robb, vice-president of the Combining traditional Inuit hunter knowledge and modern science, biologist Peter de Groot has Mackenzie Aboriginal Corporation, credits developed a non-invasive method he hopes will help monitor the impact of climate change on our Mr. Strahl with helping to secure $3-million country’s polar bears. in federal funding through CanNor for a
 feasibility study to determine the potential Partnering with the Hunters and Trappers Association of Gjoa Haven, researchers Dr. Peter for an all-season road along the Mackenzie Boag and Dr. Roel Vertegaal, and collaborators at the University of Saskatchewan, Cornell University, Valley in the same corridor as the pipeline. the Center for Research in Endangered Species in San Diego, and the Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion “That’s the first time we’ve seen the des Populations in France, Dr. de Groot’s research uses non-invasive techniques such as DNA analysis feds do that: put money in for prescreen- of polar bear hair and fecal samples along with hunters’ track assessments to determine the number, ing reports,” said Mr. Robb. “Strahl certain- sex, age, and size of the bears, and to track their health, movement, and mating patterns to better ly displayed that much leadership, vision understand how this species is affected by our changing planet. and willingness to at least explore what might be possible.” He couldn’t speak yet about Mr. Stahl’s RESEARCH INNOVATION successor, John Duncan (Vancouver Island North, B.C.), who only started in August. INTERDISCIPLINARY collaboration Generating economic opportunities through ventures such as the Mackenzie Val- To learn more about Queen’s Department of Biology visit www.queensu.ca/biology ley pipeline or road is key to prompting job To learn more about industry-research collaborations at Queen’s University visit www.queensu.ca/industry growth, which spurs other social benefits such as increased education, said Brendan Bell, a 32 THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : DEFENCE & SECURITY

action they were taking in the North, Mr. Harper risks reminding Mr. Bagnell and other critics of his promises unfulfilled. Harper should fulfill Arctic equipment “They’re doing it because I guess they think they will be seen as being a positive policy changer,” said Prof. Huebert of the Conservative government. purchases sooner than later, say critics “I do see improvements,” he stressed. For instance, while critics have continually Michael Byers, a University of British Col- you’re going to do all these things and noted the lack of search and rescue capabili- By KRISTEN SHANE umbia expert on Arctic issues. then don’t deliver,” he said. ties in the North, the Harper government’s Rob Huebert, associate director of the There are two areas where progress purchase of the C-17 Globemaster aircraft rime Minister Stephen Harper stands Centre for Military and Strategic Studies seems to be lagging that Prof. Huebert intended to move heavy tanks to Afghanistan, Pupon an ice floe with the chief of the at the University of Calgary agrees: “We’re said concern him the most: the procure- for instance, has had great Arctic spinoff defence staff of the Canadian Forces definitely taking better steps than what [Con- ment of a new icebreaker and patrol ships. benefits. The Canadian Forces can deploy the by his side. Metres away, hooked on to servative former prime minister Brian] Mul- Mr. Harper announced in July 2007 that C-17, capable of carrying a helicopter inside, another ice floe, black-clad military divers roney did when he went through all this, and the Canadian Forces would be designing faster than other options. The transport air- sit on a Zodiac watching as an Airbus 320 I would say most definitely more than what and buying six to eight new Arctic and off- craft can land on gravel and ice runways, and refuelling tanker thunders above, flanked you saw the [Jean] Chrétien Liberals doing. shore patrol ships. The government’s been in bad weather. And it was tested in the North by two CF-18s. A Canadian Coast Guard Is it everything that’s being promised? No, less clear in articulating a delivery timeline during the Nanook exercise this summer. Ship floats in the background. not by a long shot,” he told The Hill Times . and costs. Documents on the Department The military’s Chinook helicopters To Mr. Harper’s team, it’s what the With climate change making Arctic waters of National Defence’s project website indi- currently used in Afghanistan could also military has done every year since 2007 more navigable in recent years, several coun- cate it hopes to award the ship-building bolster search and rescue capabilities in through its Operation Nanook sovereignty tries are jockeying for control of the Arctic’s contract in 2012 and see the first ship the North once Canada’s combat role in exercise: showing the strength of Can- big natural resources finds and strategic trans- arrive in 2015. It suggests the department Afghanistan ends, added Prof. Huebert. adian military muscle in the North. portation routes through what some have said would consider awarding a $2.1-billion Moreover, Canada has made some To some media commentators and is a new arms race. With 40 per cent of Can- contract to design and build the ships and progress toward fixing up facilities Mr. opposition politicians, it’s “political stage- ada’s landmass in the territories and 162,000 give logistics support and another up to Harper promised. craft,” and a contrived photo-op. kilometres of Arctic coastline, the Harper $3.2-billion contract to maintain the ship in Prof. Huebert said he had heard good prog- Indeed, opposition critics and experts government has made exercising Canada’s operation for up to 25 years. ress had been made this year in reclaiming alike have noted that despite Mr. Harper’s sovereignty in the Far North its first priority of While the government has listed on the soil that could have been contaminated at an promises of military equipment and infra- a four-pronged northern strategy. project homepage detailed specifications old mine site at Nanisivik, 1,100 nautical miles structure during annual high-profile sum- But of the half-dozen promises Mr. and computer-made images of the proposed north of Iqaluit, Nunavut, where the govern- mer Arctic trips since becoming Prime Min- Harper has made during his summer Arc- design, it seems it has only asked potential ment wants to establish a deep-water port. ister, his government has little to show for it. tic tours, few are progressing as quickly as bidders to start forming teams to say they’re DND awarded a design contract for the Experts are concerned two of the north- many commentators would like. interested, but not yet tendered the project. project to a British Columbia company ern strategy’s centrepiece purchases—“the “I’m glad that Mr. Harper goes north, I’m A year after the patrol ship announce- in November 2009, but it indicated it had largest and most powerful icebreaker Can- glad that he shows an interest in the Arctic. ment, Mr. Harper said the government would pushed back the start of construction from ada has ever owned” and six to eight patrol But after five years, I’m starting to doubt the spend $720-million to build a new polar its originally anticipated date in the sum- ships—do not seem to have been put up for veracity of his promises,” said Prof. Byers, icebreaker, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship mer of 2010 to “possibly…in 2011.” tender yet. An expansion of the Canadian who also ran for the NDP in Vancouver Cen- John G. Diefenbaker, named after the former The Canadian Forces began the project in Rangers program and facility upgrades are tre, B.C., in the last federal election. Conservative prime minister, to replace the August 2007 and expected it to be ready by progressing, albeit slowly, some say. Liberal MP Larry Bagnell (Yukon), his aging Louis S. St-Laurent icebreaker, which 2015. Initial estimates set the capital cost at “The lack of action indicates that the party’s Arctic issues critic said the gov- is supposed to be decommissioned in 2017. $100-million and 20-year maintenance and Prime Minister is all hat and no boots ernment’s promises are empty. “You don’t At the time of the announcement, the govern- operation costs to be about $200-million. when it comes to Arctic sovereignty,” said promise the northerners to get their vote ment said it expected to tender for a com- Progress on an army training centre in pany to do detailed design work by late 2010. Resolute Bay, Nunavut, announced at the But the Coast Guard website now says mid- same time is not as well known, but looks to 2011, with construction beginning in 2013 still be in the planning stages. The government and anticipated delivery in late 2017. has started using stimulus money to expand a Profs. Huebert and Byers said they scientific research facility there. Prof. Huebert were not aware that it had been put to ten- expected the winter warfare training centre to der either. DND is closer to tendering the be piggybacked on the other $11-million proj- patrol ships than the Coast Guard is the ect, due to finish in March 2011. icebreaker, said Prof. Huebert. The army training centre would cost an “The Louis St-Laurent is already 41 years estimated initial $4-million to create and old; she ain’t going to last much longer. We’re $2-million yearly to run. The multipurpose going to need something like the Arctic patrol facility is meant to accommodate up to 100 vessels, if nothing else, just for law and order people, including a dozen permanent staff. and reactive capability,” he said. “Is there any The government is also slowly increas- major detrimental impact right now of more ing the size of its Canadian Rangers pro- talk and less action? Probably not. But that gram, said Prof. Huebert. The Canadian will change the first time someone deliber- Forces announced in 2007 it would expand ately comes in to challenge our sovereignty, the territorial contingent of the part-time or some [ship] grounding does not happen as reservists from 1,500 to 2,000 members. Small but mighty . nicely and as fortunately enough as we have They act as a military presence in remote been able to see for the last few years.” When northern communities, train southern Many have talked about the High Arctic Research Station to be built in a cruise ship ran aground this summer in the troops in northern-specific skills, and do Canadian Arctic, an icebreaker was luckily some search and rescue activities. Canada’s North over the next few years. close by to help, he said. “But when it comes right down to it, the Few know about a state-of-the-art facility already there. As for the hold-ups, Prof. Huebert said Rangers aren’t equipped to intercept ocean- the Arctic patrol vessels are completely going vessels in the Northwest Passage, nor new and so there might be some extended are they trained or equipped to do major The Polar Environment Research Laboratory, funded in part by the Canadian talk about how much to spend and what search and rescue activities that would Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS), allows researchers they should look like. result in, say, a jumbo jet crash-landing in Prof. Byers said the glacial pace could be Canada’s High Arctic,” said Prof. Byers. to study ozone, air pollution and climate processes over northern Canada – work because the recession has caused the projects He added that he’s happy to see For- that benefi ts us all. This research will stop as money runs out. to be bumped down the government’s prior- eign Minister Lawrence Cannon (Pontiac, ity list, DND procurement incompetence (he Que.) acting on a northern foreign policy cites the auditor general’s recent criticisms of statement he released this summer that Support weather and climate research in Canada’s North. its helicopter purchase) or just plain politick- highlighted the need to work together with ing with no hope for a real result. Canada’s Arctic neighbours to solve bound- The government’s icebreaker ary disputes. In turn, it’s been reported that announcement referred to it as “a major Canadian diplomats were talking to Ameri- national project” that takes time to design can, Danish and Russian diplomats, he said. and build. “These meetings were not happening “In three years during the Second World until this year,” he said. War, we built one of the largest navies,” But Prof. Huebert said he worried that The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) responded Prof. Byers. “If there is sufficient the Canadian government was believing funds weather and climate science, including work done to understand changes political will and urgency, things happen.” its own propaganda attesting to the low But, said Prof. Huebert, “When you’re Arctic sovereignty threat. Other countries in Canada’s North and how to adapt to them. This work underpins decisions on not in a war, your mind tends to wander.” are re-arming their navies, while Canada resource development, land use, sovereignty and more. Mr. Harper takes a political risk every isn’t pushing its combat capability, he said. year he zips up his parka for the north- That’s why it’s so important for Mr. Harp- ern trip, said Prof. Huebert. Whereas past er to fulfill his promised equipment pur- www.cfcas.org Canadian leaders have stayed away, prefer- chases, sooner rather than later, he said. ring not to remind Canadians of the little The Hill Times Convergence. Network congestion. New entrants. Talk-and-text. Data. Usage-based billing. Mobile broadband. Broadcasting licences. Over-the-air. Value-for-signal. Digital transition. Specialty channels. CRTC complaints. Cabinet decisions. L obbying. Tony Clement. James Moore. House committees. Senate committees. Anti-spam bill. Konrad von Finckenstein. The Federal Court. The Federal Court of Appeal. Copyright. ISPs. Traffic management. Network unbundling. Wholesale Internet access. Speed-matching. Spectrum manageme nt. Industry Canada . Auctions. Innovation. Digital media. Foreign ownership. Consumer outrage. Social media. Connectivity. Cable. Satellite. Fibre-to-th e-home. Rural and remot e. The digital divide. Convergence. Network congestion. New entrants. Talk-and-text. Data. Usage-based billing. Mobile broadb and. Broadcasting lice nc es. O ver-the-air. Value-for-signal. Digital transition. Specialty channels. CRTC complaints. C abin et decisions. Lobbying. Tony Cl ement. James Moore. H ous e co mmittees. Senate committees. Anti-spam bill. Konrad von Finckenstein. The Feder al Court. Th e Federal Court of Appea l. Copyright. ISPs. Traffic mana gem ent. Network unbundling. Wholesale Internet access. Speed-matching. Spectru m management. Industry Canada. Auctions. Innovation. Digit al me dia. F oreign ownership. Consumer outrage. Social media. Connectivity. Cable. Satelli te. Fibre-to-the- home. Rural an d remote. The digital divide. Conver genc e. Network congestion. New entrants. Talk-and-text. Data. Usage-based billing. Mob ile broadband . Broadcast ing licences. Over-the-air. Valu e-for-sig nal. D igital transition. Specialty channels. CRTC complaints. Cabinet decisions. Lobbying. Ton y Cle men t. Jam es M oore. House committees. Senat e commi ttees. Anti-spam bill. Konrad von Finckenstein. The Federal Court. The Federal Court of Appe al. C opyrigh t. ISPs. Traffic management. Network unbundl ing. W holesale Internet access. Speed-matching. Spectrum management. Industry Canada. A uctio ns. Innova tion. Digital media. Foreign ownership. Consum er outrage. Social media. Connectivity. Cable. Satellite. Fibre-to-the-home. Rural and rem ote. The digit al divide. Convergence. Network congestion. N ew entrants. Talk-and-text. Data. Usage-based billing. Mobile broadband. Broadcasting li cenc es. O ver-the-air. Value-for-signal. Digital transition. S pecialty channels. CRTC complaints. Cabinet decisions. Lobbying. Tony Clement. James Moo re. H ou se committees. Senate committees. Anti-spam bill. Konrad von Finckenstein. The Federal Court. The Federal Court of Appeal. Copyright. ISPs. Traf fic management. Network unbundling. Wholesale Interne t access. Speed-matching. Spectrum management. Industry Canada.Auctions. Innovation. D igital media. Foreign ownership. Consumer outrage. S oc ial me dia. Connectivity. Cable. Satellite. Fibre-to-the-home. Rural and remote. The digital divide. C onvergence. Network congestion. New entrants. Talk-an d-tex t. Data. Usage-based billing. Mobile broadband. Broadcasting licences. Over-the-air. Va lue-for-signal. Digital transition. Specialty channels. CRTC c ompla ints. Cabinet decisions. Lobbying. Tony Clement. James Moore. House committees. Sen ate committees. Anti-spam bill. Konrad von Finckenstein. The Federa l Court. The Federal Court of Appeal. Copyright. ISPs.Traffic management. Network un bundling.Wholesale Internet access. Speed-matching. Sp ectrum manag ement. Industry Canada.Auctions. Innovation. Digital media. Foreign ownership. C onsumer outrage. Social media. Connectivity. Cable. Sa tellite. F ibre-to-t he-home. Rural and remote. The digital divide. Convergence. Network congestio n. New entrants. Talk-and-text. Data. Usage-based bill ing. Mobile bro adband. Broadcasting licences. Over-the-air. Value-for-signal. Digital transition . Specialty channels. CRTC complaints. Cabinet decision s. L obbying. To ny Clement. James Moore. House committees. Senate committees. Anti-spam b ill. Konrad von Finckenstein. The Federal Court. The Fed eral Court of Appeal. Copyright. ISPs. Traffic management. Network unbundling. Wholesale Internet access. Spe ed-m atching. Spectrum management. I ndustry Can ada. Auctions. Innovation. Digital media. Foreign ownership. Consumer outrage. S ocial media. Conn ectivity. Ca ble. Satellit e. F ibre-to-the-home. Rural and remot e. The digital divide. Convergence. Network congestion. New entrants. Talk -and-text. Data . Usage-ba sed billin g. Mo bile broadband. Broadcasting lice nces. Over-the-air. Value-for-signal. Digital transition. Specialty channels. CRTC compla ints. C abinet dec isions. Lob bying. Tony Clement. James Mo ore. House committees. Senate committees. Anti-spam bill. Konrad von Fin ckenstein . The F ederal C ourt. The Federa l Court of Appeal. Copyright. IS Ps. Traffic management. Network unbundling. Wholesale Internet access. Spe ed-matching. Spectr um management. Ind ustry Canada. Auctions. Innovati on. Digital media. Foreign ownership. Consumer outrage. Social media. Connec tivity. Cable . Satellite. Fibre-to-the-ho me. Rural and remote. The digit al divide. Convergence. Network congestion. New entrants. Talk-and-text. Dat a. U sage-based billing. Mobile bro adband. Broadcasting licences. O ver-the-air. Value-for-signal. Digital transition. Specialty channels. CRTC complaints. Cabinet decisions. Lobby ing. Tony Clement. James Moo re. House committees. Senate committees. Anti-spam bill. Konrad von Finckenstein. The Federal Court. The Fe deral Court of Appeal. Copyright. IS Ps. Traffic management. Network unbundling. Wholesale Internet access. Speed-matching. Spectrum manage ment. Industry Canada. Auctions. In novation. Digital media. Foreign ownership. Consumer outrage. Social media. Connectivity. Cable. Satellite. Fibr e-to-the-home. Rural and remote. The di gital divide. Convergence. Network congestion. New entrants. Talk-and-text. Data. Usage-based billing. Mobil e broadband. Broadcasting licences. O ver-the-air. Value-for-signal. Digital transition.

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WWW.THEWIREREPORT.CA 34 THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change in Canada’s North should not be exploited by feds

that we will have any sort of meaningful Prime Minister Stephen Harper has focused the government’s attention on Canada’s Northern commitment to climate change action any time soon either. The government’s climate sovereignty in an unprecedented way, but paradoxically is not addressing climate change. change policy is predicated on mimick- ing U.S. action and, with the Republicans unprecedented way. The paradox, however, It has affected the traditional lifestyle winning in the U.S. midterms, the govern- is that the North has become an issue and livelihood of aboriginal and Inuit ment’s proposed cap and trade system and requiring this attention to sovereignty groups. It has reduced the annual lifespan its 2020 GHG reduction objectives seem because of climate change, an issue Harp- of ice roads, thereby limiting easier access “dead in the water.” (We can reasonably er all but denies and has systematically by northern communities to supplies. ask the question: since it is this govern- failed to address in any meaningful way. Melting permafrost will begin to damage ment’s policy to do on climate change BY Liberal Senator The North has proven particularly and destroy structures and roads. In short, whatever the U.S. government will do, Grant Mitchell vulnerable to climate change with tem- climate change is reducing the ability of and since the U.S. government will now peratures rising even more quickly in the people of the north to assert sover- be driven to do what a Tea Party driven limate change in Canada’s North northern areas than in much of the rest of eignty by demonstrating regular use of the Republican Congress tells it to do; can it Cshould not be exploited by this gov- the world. This has meant that the ice cap land, sea and resources. be that Canada’s climate change policy ernment as just some opportune excuse has melted at an unprecedented rate open- While climate change is at the root of will actually be determined by the U.S. Tea to buy new military equipment; it will ing up sea passages that themselves are the problem, Harper’s response to this has Party?) fundamentally change communities and subject to sovereign ownership challenges. been to do nothing about climate change. Any of the government’s climate ecosystems, and it is raising issues of Arc- It has also meant opening access and It is simply beyond belief that the Arctic change programs have been little more tic sovereignty. the promise of access to land and subsea Foreign Policy Statement delivered by his than announcements with very little action To be sure, the Prime Minister has resources that once were simply out of the minister of Foreign Affairs this summer taken and no effort to relate their potential focused the government’s attention on realm of sovereignty assertion by other failed to even include the phrase “climate impact to reduction targets. In a note of Canada’s Northern sovereignty in an countries because of their inaccessibility. change.” It seems increasingly unlikely tragic comedy, the website of the govern- ment’s Northern Strategy features the ‘Turning the Corner’ plan as one of its key accomplishments and initiatives. On the other hand, the ‘Turning the Corner’ plan, which would have included a cap and
     trade system, has in reality been dead for so long that the National Roundtable on  S     the Environment and the Economy took it out of its review of the government’s      climate change programs and progress because nothing has been done to imple-     ment it. How the government plans to come even remotely close to meeting its 2020 emissions target would be at best an open question if they had made any
     real effort at all to begin to meet it. As it  \      is, there is no doubt but that they have no real intention of trying at all.  S There are two ways in particular to establish our sovereignty in the North.        One is to buy equipment for the military        S and perhaps the coast guard. Clearly, this is the government’s preference. They use   !"  # Arctic sovereignty as one of the justifica- tions for spending $16-billion on jets when we have a $56-billion deficit. Harper has announced numerous times a special ice breaker, to be built no sooner than within the decade, several specialized patrol ships which are not yet under construc- tion and a new port worth several billion dollars which has yet to be started. These might be of some use in establishing sov- ereignty. But, the stronger argument for sov- ereignty in cases before international courts is based upon use by the people who live there rather than military activ- ity. Climate change is limiting the ability of people in the North to do so. Canada’s sovereign claim to its Arctic regions will be evaluated by the UN in 2013. They will be looking to assess the “use it or lose it” philosophy espoused by Harper himself. A government intent on establishing Canada’s Northern sovereignty needs to support our Northern peoples where and how they live. Saving our North cannot be just a military exercise or a question of ice breakers, as appealing as that is to Conservative sensibilities. It requires comprehensive, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures and social and economic supports so that our Northern peoples can use the North broadly in their daily lives. We need to reframe this debate. If we really want to defend the North (to use the Conservative militaristic terminology), we don’t need jets as much as we need to fight climate change and the social and economic issues that plague the North. Alberta Liberal Sen. Grant Mitchell is chair of the Senate’s Natural Resources Committee. [email protected] The Hill Times THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 35 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : NATURAL RESOURCES We need to increase our visible presence using the Coast Guard, and Canadian Forces continue to lead to diplomatic quate surveillance capability. We tress in sometimes hard to reach We must ensure an adequate surveillance capability. We conflicts, as more and more for- must be able to closely monitor locations. We need ships which must be able to closely monitor and have the capability to eign countries are interested in and have the capability to inter- can navigate through thick ice the economic advantage of using vene in any situation developing and clear a path for smaller ves- intervene in any situation developing within our borders. Canada’s waterways to travel within our borders. sels which might get stuck. We between the Pacific and the Being visibly present also need proper Search and Rescue er and travel the land and the sea Atlantic oceans. Because of these implies having the means to deter- aircraft for the most remote areas north of the 60th parallel. debates and negotiations, Cana- mine who has the right to enter of our country. Unfortunately, not all the peo- da must assert its sovereignty on Canada’s internal waterways, and I am very thankful for the ple who wish to go to this region our northern Territories. who has to be turned back. It is men and women who actively have noble reasons to do so. For To do so, we need to work our people and our environment participate in asserting Canada’s example, our natural resources hand-in-hand with the Innu which will have to deal with any sovereignty in this great land BY Liberal MP located in the Arctic region are people who inhabit the area and catastrophe taking place inside of ours. It is a wonderful area, Dominic LeBlanc the envy of the world. Although have done so for generations. our borders. It is therefore our inhabited by wonderful people. important, the mismanagement Their experience, their traditions responsibility to ensure that any We must ensure that we are he Great Canadian North is of these resources could create and their knowledge of the area, vessel navigating through Cana- able to protect our northern sov- Ta land of opportunity, where an ecological disaster in the Arc- of the climate and of the land are dian waters has the permission ereignty Territories and that Can- opportunities present themselves tic. We need to be able to apply invaluable. No plan to increase to do so and is not a threat to the ada will forever be able to defend in many faces. Whether it is the Canadian standards and practic- Canada’s presence in the Arctic environment or to our security. We our people, our fragile northern great people who inhabit the es in regards to operations want- can go without collaborating need to be able to coerce any ves- ecosystem, and our northern region, the natural resources ing to extract these resources. with the people who have made sel that refuses to obey Canadian borders. which can be found at the bottom Additionally, our internal the Arctic their home. orders and Canadian laws into Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc, of the sea or under the soil, its waterways are becoming navi- We also need to increase our halting his operations. who represents Beauséjour, N.B., is unique natural habitat or its pris- gable for longer periods of time visible presence using the Coast Life in the Great North can be his party’s national defence critic. tine waterways, there are many because of global warming. This Guard, as well as the Canadian treacherous. We need to have the [email protected] reasons inciting people to discov- is already leading to and will Forces. We must ensure an ade- capability to help people in dis- The Hill Times

CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : CLIMATE CHANGE & MILITARY New reality in Arctic: need to rethink approach We are concerned about the essentially military approach being pursued by the Conservatives, which is quite likely to help increase tension in the Arctic. Photograph by Jake Wright, The Hill Times

ecosystems must be adequately the aboriginal populations who, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon has shown a new openness to multilateral- protected; regrettably, have to live with the ism. His most recent statement promotes cooperation, diplomacy and respect • secondly, any border dispute consequences? If the government for international law, all values that we support. That said, while taking a reas- must be resolved peacefully and really wants to help protect the suring stance on the risk of military confrontation in the Arctic, Canada intends diplomatically, with respect for Arctic ecosystem, it must address to continue to take a military approach, which may actually increase tension. international law and the prin- the causes of climate change, by BY Bloc MP ciples of multilateralism; presenting a credible plan for Law of the Sea , is unquestionably calls on Canada to ratify the United Pierre Paquette • thirdly, resource develop- reducing greenhouse gases with the forum to which Canada must Nations Declaration on the Rights ment in the north must be closely non-negotiable targets based contribute. of Indigenous Peoples , and rec- ecause the Bloc Québécois monitored and supervised, so on 1990 as a reference year. Lately, Minister Cannon has ommends that the non-signatory Brecognizes how important that Arctic resources are not This necessary remedial work shown a new openness to multilat- circumpolar countries (the United the North and the Arctic are, plundered; is important, because Canada eralism. His most recent statement States and Russia) follow suit. it is worried about the military • lastly, any action in the Arc- is still very far from respecting promotes co-operation, diplomacy At the same time, Canada approach and the mid- and tic must take into account the international standards. and respect for international law, must develop its own mecha- long-term directions the Conser- populations, particularly the all values that we support. That nisms for consulting the people vative government has adopted Inuit, who live there. The Conservatives’ said, we point out that, while taking of the Arctic, while encouraging since coming to power in 2006. In his most recent statement a reassuring stance on the risk of Arctic Council member countries Accelerating climate change on foreign policy in the Arctic, military approach military confrontation in the Arctic, to do the same. An example for and melting polar ice caps have Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence From a political standpoint, Canada intends to continue to take Canada and other circumpo- led circumpolar countries to cast Cannon acknowledged that cli- the Bloc Québécois has consis- a military approach, which may lar countries in this regard is covetous glances at the Arctic. This mate change has a disproportion- tently favoured a fluid approach actually increase tension. what was done in Quebec when development is understandable. ate impact on the Arctic. If sincere, grounded in diplomacy and mul- As a last point we note that, in La Paix des Braves was signed. According to the U.S. Geological this acknowledgement would be tilateralism rather than a muscled the view of the Inuit Circumpolar Similarly, as has been recom- Survey, the Arctic appears to har- a great leap forward for the pres- stance. We are concerned about Council, it is of the utmost impor- mended in the reports by the bour one-quarter of the planet’s ent government, whose leader, the essentially military approach tance to include the Inuit as active Standing Committees on Defence undiscovered energy resources. Stephen Harper, was still declaring being pursued by the Conserva- partners in national and interna- and Aboriginal Affairs, the federal Thus there is a risk that the race to not long ago that the Kyoto Proto- tives, which is quite likely to help tional deliberations on the Arctic. government must provide access control this abundant wealth may col was a socialist plot! increase tension in the Arctic. In this regard, the Bloc Québé- to Arctic socio-economic support lead to disputes, particularly since The Bloc Québécois has long Instead, the Canadian govern- cois approves of the “permanent programs, not only to Canada’s circumpolar countries can hardly pointed out that taking action ment should invest its energy in participant” status granted to the three territories, but also to Nun- ignore the advantages of a stra- to protect the Arctic ecosystem promoting fluid, constructive rela- five aboriginal organizations that avik. Canada must also transfer tegic Northwest Passage. In this is urgent, particularly because tionships with other circumpolar sit on the Arctic Council. As perma- its share of the corresponding geographical and political context, increased marine traffic, made countries. We therefore encourage nent participants, these aboriginal budgets to Quebec, so that Que- the development of this part of the possible by the melting ice cap, Canada to take steps in the con- organizations directly influence bec can implement its northern world must take place in an order- will eventually have an impact on text of international law to ensure the Arctic Council’s work and the Quebec development strategy in ly manner. It must also respect the the fragile Arctic ecosystem. a sound basis for its sovereignty. resulting programs. If this consul- close cooperation with the Inuit following principles: In light of the minister’s most In this regard, the Commission tative approach with aboriginal residents of Nunavik. • firstly, climate change, recent statements, can we trust on the Limits of the Continental organizations has been adopted Bloc Québécois MP Pierre which has a significant impact the Conservatives to take the Shelf Beyond 200 Nautical Miles, by the Arctic Council, it should fol- Paquette, who represents Joliette, on the Arctic, must be combated, necessary steps to deal with cli- an agency established under the lowed by national governments as Que., is his party’s House leader. and the extremely fragile Arctic mate change and its impact on United Nations Convention on the well. The Bloc Québécois therefore The Hill Times 36 THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AIP to transfer control to N.W.T. over lands, resources great, but needs aboriginal governments in northern political future The Inuvialuit, Gwich’in, Sahtu Dene, Akaitcho First Nations, Tlicho, Dehcho First Nations, and the Métis all have constitutionally protected rights which must be respected in any devolution agreement.

trol development of our own resources, on our own land.” N.W.T. Premier Floyd Roland has begun a process of trying to get the aboriginal gov- ernments on side. However, one might argue that this is really the role of the minister of BY NDP MP Indian Affairs and Northern Development Dennis Bevington as it is Canada and not the N.W.T. which has the direct fiduciary responsibility for aborig- hen one takes an objective view of inal people. Treaties 8 and 11 were signed Photograph by Cynthia Münster, The Hill Times Wnatural resource development in the between Canada and the aboriginal peoples Natural resources in the North: Perhaps a starting point can be the 2007 agreement worked out between Northwest Territories, the southern media of the Northwest Territories. the N.W.T. government and four aboriginal governments. Bringing the sides together would be an excel- have the story wrong. The important devel- The Harper government has really lent place for the new INAC Minister John Duncan, pictured, to show some leadership on this file. opment is not the wrangling over secrecy given up on this responsibility, and has left between the Harper government and the it up to the N.W.T. to settle its own deal. Joint Review Panel on a natural gas pipe- This abrogation of responsibility shows line that is years away, nor is it the discov- clearly this Conservative government’s ery of oil off the west coast of Greenland. lack of ability to work effectively with Rather that honour should belong to the aboriginal governments. recently negotiated agreement-in-principle Other than the lack of participation by on the transfer of administration and con- the aboriginal peoples in drafting the agree- trol over lands and resources. ment, the AIP is not a bad deal. The N.W.T. The AIP became public on Oct.15, 2010. would gain administration and control, but It sets out process for transferring the Gov- not ownership, of all internal waters and ernment of Canada’s legislative powers surface and subsurface lands under the fed- and responsibilities respecting public lands, eral crown. This would provide the N.W.T. water, and resources administered by the with the ability to control the pace and loca- Northern Affairs Program of the Depart- tion of all mineral and oil and gas develop- ment of Indian Affairs and Northern Devel- ment. It would allow the N.W.T. to set its opment to the Northwest Territories. The AIP own environmental regulations and create also sets out the process for transferring its own management system. the legislative powers and responsibilities The AIP also keeps the door open to respecting the regulation of oil and gas negotiating the N.W.T. taking on a mea- operations in the N.W.T. currently adminis- sure of administration and control of off- tered by the National Energy Board under shore resources such as oil and natural the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act. gas development in the Beaufort Sea. While this AIP has flaws and is only an Quite simply, this agreement would allow LEADING THE WORLD IN AIP, it is the closest the people of the North- the N.W.T. to benefit from its immense west Territories, in many years of trying, storehouse of resources. have come to being able to control the pace The potential value of such a devolu- and direction for development on their tion of authority is too great to pass up. lands. Devolution of the control of lands, It would be in the best interests of all the ARCTIC CLIMATE water, and resources and a bigger share of people of the N.W.T. if a way can be found the rewards has been the territorial dream for the Aboriginal governments in the ter- for decades. This transfer is a logical next ritory to become part of this agreement. step in the de-colonization of the North. Perhaps a starting point can be the CHANGE RESEARCH. A serious problem with this AIP lies 2007 agreement worked out between the with the importance of aboriginal govern- N.W.T. government and four aboriginal ments in the northern political future. A governments. Bringing the sides together lack of active participation by the aborigi- would be an excellent place for the new nal governments in the N.W.T. has created INAC Minister John Duncan to show some The key to global climate change may lie deep within Arctic ice. Now, the University some political problems with an agree- leadership on this file. of Manitoba has been recognized with one of the country’s most prestigious awards – the Canada ment that most want to see in place. The There are many steps along the road to Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Geomicrobiology and Climate Change – to help uncover Inuvialuit, Gwich’in, Sahtu Dene, Akaitcho the Northwest Territories taking its equal these secrets. First Nations, Tlicho, Dehcho First Nations, place in Confederation. This draft AIP and the Métis all have constitutionally is one of the main components. When it Dr. Søren Rysgaard , a distinguished geomicrobiologist from Greenland will join the 100- protected rights which must be respected comes to independent fiscal capacity for the plus team from the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Earth Observation Science in the Clayton in any devolution agreement. N.W.T., my Bill C-530 is another. My bill, H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources. This world-renowned team is the rst to Additionally, these governments have a just through its first hour of debate in the explore the Arctic on a micro scale. direct, treaty-backed relationship with the House of Commons, would allow the N.W.T. With the CERC award and support from other partners totalling $35 million in funding, the federal government which cannot be ignored. to borrow the money it needs to build the team’s focus on the Arctic’s role in global climate change cement’s the University of Manitoba’s “The government of Canada, in their own infrastructure necessary for better resource wisdom, has decided that it’s not important development. Choices on infrastructure can position as a leader in environmental and climate change research. to listen to the aboriginal people…. They have mean that resource development works for no fiduciary responsibility to protect them,” our real future, not just for our exploitation. For more information, please visit umanitoba.ca Richard Nerysoo, president of the Gwich’in It is time the N.W.T. was allowed to Tribal Council told CBC North. stand on its own. Northerners are no lon- “There is no constitutional basis for ger willing to remain under the control of INNOVATIVE RESEARCH. EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY. any respect for the land claims and trea- Ottawa. We want our government to have ties that exist,” Ethel Blondin-Andrew, the same ability to make decisions as other A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES EXCELLENCE. chair of the Sahtu Secretariat Inc told governments have across the country. For CBC North, a devolution deal to work as it should, the “We’re not happy about the process ability of the N.W.T. government and the because it’s a bilateral process — they’ll aboriginal governments to agree remains do it with or without us,” Dehcho Grand the main hurdle to overcome. Chief Sam Gargan, whose First Nation is NDP MP Dennis Bevington, who rep- still negotiating a self-government, land resents the Western Arctic, N.W.T., is his and resources claim with the federal and party’s critic for northern development One university. Many futures. territorial governments, in the same news and sovereignty. umanitoba.ca report said, “We are discussing province- [email protected] like powers too. We want to be able to con- The Hill Times THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 37 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : NORTHERN VISION

Photograph by Corporal Jax Kennedy, Canadian Forces Combat Camera Northern exposure: PM Stephen Harper, pictured in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, last August, taking part in a dive exercise conducted by the Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic during Operation NANOOK 10. Sen. Pamela Wallin says the PM has has toured Canada’s North each summer he’s been in office, raising the region’s profile, doing his bit to exercise Canada’s sovereignty, and taking actions to enhance the region’s security.

far North, there is no question Island, between Ellesmere Island that these flights serve a Russian and Greenland, where there may military purpose—to test whether also be resource riches. Harper plans to make and how we respond to potential The best-known dispute is over airspace challenges. the Northwest Passage. Canada The government is taking action contends that its waters are inter- on many fronts. A contract for new nal to this country. No one really fixed wing search and rescue air- disputes this, but the United States ‘northern vision’ a reality craft is in the offing. A new Cana- believes the Passage should be dian Coast Guard icebreaker, The treated as an international strait John G. Diefenbaker , is slated for where all nations have the right to Prime Minister has made the Canadian North his personal priority. 2017. Six to eight Arctic/Offshore pass. When all is said and done, a Patrol Ships will enter service in senior executive with the world’s a further 1.7 million square kilome- in exploiting the potential bonanza 2015. A military deep water berth largest shipping company told tres of continental shelf, almost the of natural resources. And easier and refuelling station is being the committee that the Northwest size of the three prairie provinces. access is bringing more tourists to built at Nanisivik. There will be a Passage likely won’t be usable The four other Arctic coastal the once-remote region. All of this Canadian Forces training base at before 2050, and even then will states—Denmark, Norway, Rus- means more air and marine traffic, Resolute. The Canadian Rangers, be hazardous and uneconomical BY sia, and the United States—are which is a concern since most of part of the army reserve, are being compared to southern routes. Conservative the only other ones with estab- the area is not charted to modern enlarged, and better trained and While diplomats continue to Sen. Pamela Wallin lished and recognized sovereign- standards. We all remember the equipped. And in 2014-15, the new negotiate these legal disputes, the ty. But everyone wants in on the grounding last August of the cruise “RADARSAT Constellation” of Arctic remains an important part ne can’t talk about the North’s Arctic action, and so we’re now ship Clipper Adventurer . three state-of-the-art satellites will of our Canadian identity—from Ofuture without recalling prime seeing players like China claiming One way to exercise sovereign- be launched, to provide accurate, sea to sea to sea. Importantly, minister John Diefenbaker’s that because they have one-fifth ty is to make sure Canada has the highly detailed radar imaging for the Prime Minister has made the vision of “a Canada of the North.” It of the world’s population, they right rules and regulations to con- the operational needs of many gov- Canadian North his personal helped rocket the Prairie populist deserve one-fifth of the Arctic’s trol increased activity, and protect ernment departments and agencies. priority. He has toured there each to the greatest Parliamentary tri- resources—a claim dismissed by the environment. Adequate charts There are a few outstanding summer he’s been in office, raising umph in Canadian history. Today, Canada’s foreign minister at our will ensure safer shipping. And of disputes to be resolved—which the region’s profile, doing his bit to technology, shrinking distances, recent Senate committee hearing. course we must be able to find and are a priority for Canada. One is exercise our sovereignty, and tak- and climate change are creating And speaking of claims, as the rescue people who get into trouble. a disagreement with the United ing actions to enhance the region’s new challenges and possibilities lawyers advise us—we don’t need We can also exercise our States over where our border lies security. The “northern vision” is in the Arctic, and Stephen Harper to keep restating our ownership sovereignty by ensuring the Arc- in the Beaufort Sea, north of the finally coming into focus. will, he says, be making the “north- of something we own. We own tic’s security, protecting it from Yukon-Alaska boundary. Both Saskatchewan Conservative ern vision” a reality. our Arctic. aggressive foreign nations, terror- countries claim the same 21,000 Senator Pamela Wallin is chair of Canada already holds a big The question is, how do we ists, drug and people smugglers, square kilometre wedge of sea the Senate National Security and piece of real estate there. And we effectively exercise our sover- and the like. While some dismiss floor—in a region rich in oil and Defence Committee. are asserting a claim to even more eignty? With the permanent sea ice the significance of Russian bomb- gas. Another is with Denmark. [email protected] through a UN process—the right to in retreat, there is growing interest ers resuming Arctic fly-bys in our We both say we own tiny Hans The Hill Times

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami presents: A Taste of the Arctic National Gallery of Canada, Great Hall Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 6:00 pm With performances by Elisapie Issac, Taqralik Partridge and Artcirq Tickets: $195 RSVP [email protected] (613) 238-8181 ext 276 Sponsorship opportunities available

Proceeds in aid of the Avataq Cultural Institute www.itk.ca 38 THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : LAST GREAT CANADIAN HIGHWAY

adaptation to dramatic changes bers of the 16 th NWT Legislative in northern climate. Assembly. Its strategic value has North needs all-weather road been detailed repeatedly, including Work Already Underway in the planning document Con- A major milestone to help bring necting Canada: Coast to Coast the Highway to reality occurred to Coast , available at http://bit.ly/ through Mackenzie Valley to with the funding agreement MackenzieValleyHighway. between the GNWT and the fed- There is a lot at stake, not only eral government to complete Proj- for the N.W.T. but for Canada as ect Description Reports (PDRs) for a whole. A recently completed Tuktoyaktuk on Arctic coast each part of the project. economic analysis estimates that Memoranda of Understanding the construction of the Mackenzie (MOUs) have been signed with com- Valley Highway to Tuktoyaktuk we are to realize the potential of A Vulnerable Winter munity and Aboriginal partners would generate 14,000 jobs during the Northwest Territories to great- Road System along the proposed alignment to construction and 90 permanent ly benefit all Canadians, strategic The benefits to all Canadians complete the work required to move jobs. The $15.7-million in addi- investments must be made. of an all-weather highway down to the regulatory phase. They are tional disposable income would be the Mackenzie Valley have been working with us as full partners, produced annually, and tourism, BY N.W.T. MINISTER A Necessary Strategic recognized for more than 50 years, taking a lead role on the PDR work. an important part of the North- Michael McLeod Investment since prime minister John Diefen- This past summer, again with west Territories economy, would One such example of a nec- baker first proposed his “Roads to the assistance of the Government increase 20 per cent. The Highway ELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T.—The essary strategic investment is Resources” program. More than of Canada, an all-weather road will produce significant added Yhistory of Canada could be the long-proposed building of half a century of planning and was constructed from Tuktoyak- economic activity from the energy written as a tale of epic adventure, an all-weather road through the preparation has followed. tuk to a community gravel source. and mining sectors by making and the people of the Northwest Mackenzie Valley to Tuktoyaktuk The N.W.T.’s winter and ice road These 22 kilometres will eventu- exploration and development Territories are ready to craft its on the Arctic coast. This road systems rely on continuous cold ally form the northernmost por- more cost-effective and efficient. newest chapters. We believe our will demonstrate Canada’s com- temperatures throughout the winter. tion of the Mackenzie Valley to Like the dream of a national part of this rich story can contrib- mitment to the exercise of its They are therefore vulnerable to the Tuktoyaktuk Highway project. railway, the completion of the ute to the solution of many of the Arctic sovereignty by providing effects of climate warming in the Mackenzie Valley Highway to challenges facing Canada today. year-round access for the move- region, which are already significant. A Lot At Stake Tuktoyaktuk will serve many gen- From the exercise of Canada’s ment of people and goods to the In response, in partnership A national railway uniting erations of Canadians, offering sovereignty over its Arctic regions Arctic coast. with the Government of Canada, Canada from coast to coast once benefits to both the people of the to the creation of extraordinary The construction of this high- the GNWT has constructed a num- seemed nothing more than a North and to all Canadians. The opportunities for job creation and way will also provide access to ber of bridges over the past decade dream. It took political leaders Northwest Territories is ready to economic growth, Canada’s North- vast storehouses of renewable along the all-weather highway with the courage to move forward move forward with our commu- west Territories is poised to accom- and non-renewable resources— alignment. These bridges have in the face of great challenges, but nity, Aboriginal, and federal part- plish great things to help support a oil and gas, minerals, metals, helped to preserve the winter road they made that dream a reality, ners to make this dream a reality. sustainable Canadian economy. rare earths, as well as enormous season despite the region’s warm- setting the stage for Canada’s suc- Michael McLeod is minister However, without appropriate untapped potential for hydroelec- ing. Continued warming will pose cess in the decades that followed. of Transportation and minister policy action and further national tric power development. additional challenges. The Mackenzie Valley Highway Responsible for Infrastructure investments in strategic areas of As important, it will strengthen When constructed, an all- to Tuktoyaktuk is a vital infrastruc- Government of the Northwest northern infrastructure, opportu- connections among communities, weather road down the Mack- ture project for a sustainable north- Territories. nities to develop these chapters of reduce living costs, and make north- enzie Valley to Tuktoyaktuk will ern and Canadian economy. It has [email protected] our collective story may be lost. If ern businesses more competitive. play a key role in the N.W.T.’s the unanimous support of mem- The Hill Times CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : ARCTIC SOVEREIGNTY It’s time for a Canada-Russia Arctic partnership Should Canada formally join forces with Russia to pursue our mutual national interests? In my view that makes a lot of sense. with its “Northeast Passage” and those important relationships. already a world power of signifi- venue to pursue mutual interests. Canada its Northwest Passage. Arctic aboriginal peoples tend to cance. One has to wonder about We may even want to propose an Supporting each other’s posi- take the longer view of matters its aspirations in the Arctic. Arctic nuclear free zone as it would tion might prove useful if chal- which is good for Canada’s future. Since the risk of state-to-state represent important savings for the lenges to our internal waters arise We also face similar challeng- conflict has receded following the Russian people and help greatly to BY Liberal Sen. because of global warming. The es. Global warming is affecting fall to the Warsaw Pact, the con- reduce tensions in the Arctic.” Russians who have been manag- the Arctic at a faster pace than in cept of human security has gained It may be time therefore to Roméo Dallaire ing the Northeast Passage for a southern locations. Our countries in importance. “Human security” develop a formal Arctic relation- number of years should be able to could help one another deal with encompasses all threats: military, ship with Russia. A relationship hould Canada formally join advise us with the management the impact. We could cooperate to illegal activity such as drug smug- with a NATO and NORAD country Sforces with Russia to pursue of our own passage. Russia and bring pressures to reduce human gling and human trafficking, and may contribute to easing tension our mutual national interests? In Canada have agreed at the Ilul- activities causing global warm- pollution. Pollution is a serious between Russia and NATO and pro- my view that makes a lot of sense. isat, Greenland, meeting in May ing. We could also share best threat to the fragile ecosystem of vide another bridge for consultation After all, Canada and Russia 2008 to abide by United Nations practices to deal with the impact the Arctic and more so with the and confidence building measures. have a lot in common and Russia Convention on the Law of the Sea of global warming on infrastruc- warming of the globe which is It would help avoid a return to some could bring much value added. (UNCLOS) for the delineation of ture built on melting permafrost opening up the Arctic as a travel of the current Cold War ideology or We share a similar geography in the continental shelves. The Rus- and on animal species that see route between markets and for doctrine creeping back. the northern parts of our coun- sians have offered their support to their traditional environment lit- natural resources harvesting. The Such a relationship would tries. Russia extends from 30 to do so, their media-focused plant- erally disappear. U.S. Geological Survey has esti- support all of the new Canada’s 170 degrees longitude East which ing of a Russian flag at the North We may ultimately cooperate mated that approximately 25 per Northern Strategy four priorities: represents about 40 per cent of the Pole aside. to deal with Chinese aspirations cent of the undiscovered natural Exercising of sovereignty: by mutual Arctic. Prior to the sale of Alaska The attention of the world in the Arctic. Recently it was gas and oil is in the Arctic. respect and support of internal to the United States we used to has recently shifted to the Arctic reported that China wanted to Sovereignty is not so much a waters claims and reducing tension share a land border with Russia. where there are abundant natural claim 20 per cent of the natural problem in the Arctic as human through partnership; ‘ Promoting We could continue to share Arctic resources that will be increasingly resources of the world based security is. At present this requires Social and Economic Development: science, technologies and best prac- harvested in the future. This will on population size. China has more of a constabulary enforce- Arctic Council and aboriginal links tices; we already do so to a large present opportunities for coop- declared itself an Arctic nation ment which is something an and commercial links and exchange extent. Russia still has the largest eration between us. For example, despite the fact that its geog- expanded, re-equipped and well- of science and technology; Protect- icebreaker fleet in the world and there is a new interesting link raphy does not support such a funded (including salaries) Cana- ing our environmental heritage: could contribute both construction between the Port of Churchill claim. It has requested observer dian Rangers could easily perform working jointly to reduce global and operational experience. The and Murmansk in Russia. This status on the Arctic Council. It on land as well as on the waters. warming and cooperating on miti- Coast Guard officials have said in new route could lead to further has an extensive Arctic research They are there, they know the land gating measures and exchanging the past, “If there is more ice, we economic exchanges. Mutual eco- capability. We know that China and waters, they have vested inter- science; Improving and Developing need more icebreakers. If there is nomic interests tend to improve has been operating research ves- ests in the stewardship of the Arc- Northern Governance : through the less ice we need more icebreakers!” relations between countries and sels in the Canadian Arctic. Some tic and their loyalty to our nation is Arctic Council and aboriginal links The latter is caused by more ice reduce the likelihood of conflict. will remember the unexpected unquestionable! The fact that they and exchange of best practices. flows and multi-year ice floating We also share aboriginal peo- arrival of the Xue Long in Tuk- are reservists negates the need to Liberal Senator Romeo Dal- around and causing impediments ples who bring a wealth of Arctic toyaktuk in 1999, one of the larg- deploy regular armed forces and laire is the vice-chair of the to maritime traffic. experience and knowledge. These est non-nuclear icebreakers in reduces potential tension. Senate National Security and We both have claims to inter- long-term relationships help the world. It plans to build more Russia and Canada are both Defence Committee nal waters through the use of the bridge gaps. Their participation icebreakers and it continues to members of the Arctic Council [email protected] strait base line method: Russia in the Arctic Council maintains modernise its armed forces. It is which would give us an excellent The Hill Times THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 39 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : NORTHERN STRATEGY

Photo courtesy: Sgt. Marco Comisso, Army News On guard for thee: Sgt. Jason Hanson, left, and Pte Peter Kalabic, both from the 48th Highlanders of Canada march during a sovereignty patrol in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, during Operation Nanook 10 last August.

The approach must include participation opportunities in not only the federal government, mining ventures. Exercising our sovereignty but the territorial government, as The government launched a well as local leaders. By working new regional economic develop- together we develop the capability ment agency for the North which to respond rapidly, exercise our will seek to provide the foundation sovereignty, all the while building for a prosperous economic future in North must be a priority positive and lasting partnerships. for those who live, work and sup- There is much to protect across port their families in the North. the vast northern territories that I’m The government is also working To meet the challenges and opportunities of a changing North, the government has established a honoured to represent, not the least with northerners to increase access comprehensive strategy in four priority areas exercising Arctic sovereignty, protecting environmental heritage, of which is our rich natural resourc- to skills training and education in es. From the development of world- the mining sector. This past week, promoting social and economic development, and improving and devolving northern governance. class diamond and iron ore mines I was pleased to announce on to massive oil and gas reserves, the behalf of the minister for Human tunities of a changing North, the lands and waters—sovereignty enormous economic potential of Resources and Skills Development, government has established a that is long-standing, well-estab- the North has yet to be fully real- significant funding to the Kivalliq comprehensive “Northern Strat- lished and based on historic title, ized. Most northern communities, Mine Training Society through the egy” and is taking concrete action international law and the pres- especially those in Nunavut, have Aboriginal Skills and Employ- in four priority areas. These prior- ence of Inuit and other aboriginal few economic development options ment Partnership. This project will ity areas include exercising our peoples for thousands of years. other than responsible development provide up to 300 Inuit with the BY Health Minister Arctic sovereignty, protecting our We are strengthening our north- of their natural resources. The gov- training and workplace experience Leona Aglukkaq environmental heritage, promot- ern presence in many ways such as ernment is taking action to encour- required to secure a wide range of ing social and economic develop- the procurement of a new Polar Ice- age future exploration and develop- long −term sustainable jobs. s the Member of Parliament ment, and improving and devolv- breaker—The CCGS John G. Diefen- ment by improving northern regula- Our government has a strong, Afor Nunavut, regional min- ing northern governance. baker , new Arctic/offshore patrol tory systems and investing in critical clear vision for the North. A vision ister responsible for the North, Since the focus of this “Cana- ships, the establishment of a Cana- infrastructure to attract investors that will ensure Canada’s Arctic and someone who was born and da’s North” policy briefing seems dian Forces Army training centre and developers to the North. continues to grow in a safe, sustain- raised in Canada’s largest region, to be sovereignty and security as in Resolute Bay, and the expansion At the same time, the govern- able and prosperous way. Whether I am honoured to be part of a well as natural resource explora- and modernization of the Canadian ment wants to ensure that develop- it’s in the areas of sovereignty and government that understands tion, I will highlight those two Rangers, among other things. In ment happens in a sustainable way security or economic develop- and appreciates the importance northern strategy priorities. August 2007, the government of and that Northerners benefit direct- ment, together with its partners, of Canada’s North. There is no question that Canada announced an expansion ly from economic growth. In Nuna- the government is helping to create Canada’s North is a funda- exercising our sovereignty in the of the Canadian Ranger program vut, the Inuit land claim agreement a vibrant North. One that we can mental part of Canada—it is part North must be a priority. With 40 from approximately 1,500 to 2,000 guarantees Inuit representation on all proudly say is “Our True North, of our heritage, our future, and per cent of our landmass in the members across the North, enabling management boards which review Strong and Free.” our identity as a country. The territories, 162,000 kilometres of the addition of new patrols and the and recommend all aspects of min- Health Minister Leona Agluk- government has a vision for a Arctic coastline and 25 per cent strengthening of existing ones. It ing proposals, including impacts on kaq, who represents Nunavut new North and is taking action to of the global Arctic, Canada is must be recognized that exercising environment and water. federally, is also the regional min- ensure this vision comes to life, undeniably an Arctic nation. The our arctic sovereignty cannot be Furthermore, the land claim ister for the North. for the benefit of all Canadians. To government is firmly exercising accomplished without incorporating agreement guarantees a stream [email protected] meet the challenges and oppor- our sovereignty over our Arctic Northerners. of resource revenue and equity The Hill Times 40 THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : INUIT

Inuit trails are not permanent features of the Arctic landscape. They disappear as sled tracks are Getting on the right covered by snow, or disappear entirely when the snow and ice melt each spring. Nevertheless, the spatial itineraries remain in track sea ice, Inuit trails people’s memories and come to life again when individuals make the next trip. By mapping Inuit trails with and importance of GIS and GPS, it was found that complex and intricate knowledge of the Canadian Arctic Archipel- ago has been precisely and accu- rately transmitted by the Inuit Arctic sovereignty for generations. The continuity of these trails is due entirely to the oral transmission of location, The historic depth of Canadian Inuit occupancy of the Arctic place names and other environ- Archipelago and their systematic land and sea ice use of mental phenomena. Rarely considered by western- the Northwest Passage should be considered in Canada’s ers, sea ice exhibits regular topog- raphy. The Inuit tell us that in positions in debates and policies regarding sovereignty, some locations the same cracks, The Inuit: economic development and environmental impact. ridges and leads of the sea ice are Claudio Aporta, pictured in the Arctic. the same year after year. The Inuit have given these features names, sea ice seasons, but by the use of in most of the Arctic the sea ice a significant challenge to Inuit tradi- similar to the way non-Inuit different modes of transportation constitutes an extension of the By CLAUDIO APORTA tional practices, including their well- would name a lake or mountain. (i.e. snowmobiles) and adapting land for much of the year. established network of trails and Aguippiniq, an ice ridge located Western socio-cultural lifestyles. The historic depth of Cana- TTAWA—The political and access to key marine resources. near the community of Igloolik Due to the new realities of living in dian Inuit occupancy of the Oeconomic significance of the Inuit have always made com- has been known for at least 200 permanent settlements, pursuing Arctic Archipelago and their sys- Arctic is rapidly increasing with prehensive use of the Arctic envi- years. Its name, passed down formal education and having jobs, tematic land and sea ice use of potential implications for Canadian ronment, particularly evident in through many generations, is only the Inuit have less time to spend the Northwest Passage should be sovereignty. The potential opening trail use of Arctic land and sea. one example of the historic land on the ice and land. considered in Canada’s positions of the Canadian Archipelago and My research on Inuit wayfinding, use Inuit have exhibited through- While the Canadian Arctic in debates and policies regarding the Northwest Passage for regular and land and sea ice use, mapped out the Arctic seas. Archipelago has been perceived sovereignty, economic develop- shipping has prompted interest a vast network of well-established The Inuit Sea Ice Use and by non-Inuit as a contested geo- ment and environmental impact. from external actors regarding trails connecting most Inuit settle- Occupancy Project (ISIUOP), that I graphic feature and water pas- Claudio Aporta is an asso- energy, mining and shipping. ments and significant places lead, has confirmed the dynamics sage, this marine region and its ciate professor of sociology While most international lead- across the Canadian Arctic. The of sea ice trails in particular have shores is home for the Inuit. The and anthropology and faculty ers prefer to approach Arctic issues project found Inuit trails have been impacted, not only by climate sea ice is a place where their his- member of the Geomatics and from the standpoint of national sov- been, and still are, significant change, but also through socio- tory unfolded. Trails have been Cartographic Research Centre at ereignty, economic issues or threats channels of communication and cultural factors. Risks associated recreated on the sea ice for gen- Carleton University. to biodiversity, changes to sea ice exchange across the vast entirety with sea ice travel and hunting erations, and many sea ice fea- [email protected] caused by climate change also pose of the North American Arctic. are caused not only by shorter tures have been named. After all, The Hill Times CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : ARCTIC SDI Time to create cyber cooperation in Canadian Arctic

ments, a variety of non-government trated dramatically the closeness lar peoples should be incorporat- Effective management of the Arctic region requires organizations and, perhaps most of circumpolar nations. Were envi- ed. Existing approaches do not importantly, the Inuit people who ronmental disasters to occur, these yet integrate this very well; nor combined information from all circumpolar nations live there. Each player is creating a would affect all polar nations, not do other forms of volunteered wealth of new information but this just one, inhibiting any nation’s geographical information. in a form which can be easily used. An Arctic SDI lacks a coordinated framework. ability to independently deal with Research at the Geomatics would meet this requirement. This is where the planned Arctic the situation. Effective manage- and Cartographic Research Cen- SDI will be of great utility. ment of the Arctic region requires tre at Carleton University to pres- The creation of the Arctic SDI combined information from all cir- ent Inuit geospatial knowledge information they contain, can be faces many challenges. The tech- cumpolar nations in a form which in new forms is exploring ways By D.R.F. TAYLOR accessed using location. nologies to create such an integrat- can be easily used. An Arctic SDI in which this can be done (http:// Canada, the birthplace of ing structure are in place, but major would meet this requirement. gcrc.carleton.ca). This includes hilst the Arctic is a key geographic information systems, political, cultural, and administrative The idea of an Arctic SDI a software input program called Wpolicy priority for Canada, is among the world’s leaders in barriers still have to be overcome. It involving all circumpolar nations Nunaliit, which means “com- the tendency for government geographic information manage- is relatively easy to technically link was introduced at the International munity” in Inuktituk. (http:// and media to focus on competi- ment. The Canadian government, computer databases, but overcom- Polar Year GeoNorth 2007 confer- nunaliit.org) It allows easy entry tion between Arctic nations for in creating the GeoConnections ing the human challenges of sharing ence. The Yellowknife Declara- of information in a variety of sovereign control of the region program helps decision-makers information is much more difficult. tion called for its establishment. formats. The centre is also home obscures a critical need. Although use online location-based infor- For example, many federal govern- By 2010, all nations of the Arctic to an interactive sound atlas of the government has begun devel- mation such as maps and satellite ment agencies live in their own Council, including Canada, signed Inuit place names created by the oping infrastructure such as deep images to tackle some of Cana- “mandate silos.” A strong mandate an agreement to participate. In community (http://atlas.kitikmeo- water ports and physical facili- da’s most pressing challenges. to co-ordinate data across agencies October 2010, the National Map- theritage.ca). Inuit knowledge of ties as part of its strategy for the The program links partners’ data- is not apparent. Physical infrastruc- ping Agencies of the circumpolar place involves stories and narra- North, there is a critical need sets to increase their utility by tures are both visible and tangible nations unanimously agreed to tives which are best captured in for international cooperation on making them “interoperable.’’ and provide photo opportunities for establish an Arctic SDI and the sound and video rather than text. managing a wide variety of social, A Spatial Data Infrastructure political leaders whereas cyberinfra- implementation process has begun. A major conceptual shift is also economic, and environmental (SDI) is an online framework for structures are invisible. Yet these are Canadians played an important required from the narrow concept of information on the Arctic. the collection, organization and use the key infrastructures of the 21 st role in initiating the concept of an managing spatial data to the much Cartography, the art and of location-based digital informa- century, just as railways, roads and Arctic SDI and it is important that wider and inclusive concept of using science of maps and mapping, tion. An Arctic SDI, in which Cana- airports were critical in the 19 th and the Government of Canada take location to manage data. This is not has always been important in dians are playing an important role, 20 th centuries. a leadership role and provide the simply a matter of semantics. All the Arctic. In the digital era, is currently under construction. It is vital that an information resources required to make an Arc- data can be managed more effec- it is taking on new forms and This new cyberinfrastructure infrastructure for the Arctic be tic SDI a reality. This is a win-win tively if a location-based approach is functions as location or place is just as important for the Arctic created to which all players can proposition because it meets nation- used, not just spatial data. becomes increasingly important as other forms of infrastructure. contribute to facilitate a more al priority needs while contributing Prof. Fraser Taylor is director in the management and use of There are myriad players involved coordinated approach. In 2007, the to our international responsibilities. of the Geomatics and Carto- all kinds of information, not just in the development of the Canadian Canadian federal government’s There is, however, a need to graphic Research Centre at Car- what’s shown on a traditional Arctic, including the private sec- Circumpolar Map illustrated that rethink and redefine the concept leton University in Ottawa. map. Almost all computer data- tor, almost all federal ministries, the Arctic is a shared environment. of an SDI. The traditional knowl- [email protected] bases, regardless of the type of territorial and provincial govern- The circular form of the map illus- edge of Inuit and other circumpo- The Hill Times THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 41 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : NATURAL RESOURCES

that even the Nunavut territorial government does not yet have— whether the development is on Inuit—owned land or not. Mining executives who oper- ate in Nunavut understand and respect the new era, where they are required to demonstrate and provide socio-economic ben- efits through impact and benefit agreements and participation and accountability in public hearings and technical reviews. There is a new climate of mutual respect and openness to accommodation on the part of mining companies. What is most encouraging to me, though, is that through exploration activities in the sum- mer months and increasing year round employment opportunities, young Inuit women, but particu- larly young men are now seeing opportunities for well-paying jobs working on the land in Nunavut. Mining training is being offered in several locations in the North and South, and efforts are underway to interest Northern students in careers in earth sciences—clearly an emerging and growing employ- ment opportunity. The academics and NGOs who regularly opine on Northern sovereignty sometimes bemoan the absence of the human factor in Northern sovereignty. Sovereignty is more than mili- tary establishments and exercis- es, they say. And they are right. I believe that the respectful, Photo courtesy of the PMO orderly development of Nuna- Minding the North: Prime Minister Stephen Harper was joined on Tuk Point, by Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who’s also the regional minister for the North, vut’s rich mineral resources in a Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Merven Gruben, Indian and Northern Affairs Minister John Duncan, and Fisheries Minister Gail Shea on an Arctic expedition in August. new era where companies work with the duly elected territorial government and the original Inuit inhabitants of the regions while demonstrating respect of their rights as guardians of the land is another important way of Mining no longer a bad enhancing and protecting Cana- da’s Northern sovereignty, while giving hope and opportunity to our youth. The northern mining industry also has the potential to help word in Canada’s North wean northerners from their cur- rent over-dependence on govern- Rankin Inlet; the Hope Bay gold ment and the Canadian taxpayer While I know that it is trite to say that jobs will cure all society’s ills, I do believe that the project near the western regional to a new era where wealth and enormous potential for mining in all three regions of Nunavut represents opportunities capital, Cambridge Bay, which leadership will come from the has attracted significant invest- private sector. And because the which can help ease this profound social problem and offer hope and opportunity to these ment from Newmont, one of the steel and timber and machinery world’s biggest gold mining com- required for northern mines young men, replacing low self-esteem with the confidence and rewards of good paying jobs panies along with other signifi- come from ‘Southern Canada,’ cant prospects for lead zinc (Izok mining developments in the in an Arctic environment well familiar to Inuit whose culture is based on affinity to the land. Lake) and uranium (Areva). North also contribute significant- Mining was once a bad word ly to Canada’s GDP growth. ing lives on the land—succumb- corporation’s project on Baffin in Northern Canada. Companies Canada’s sovereignty initia- ing to hopelessness and despair Island has deposits of the purest marched into the North, took tives must include the indigenous in remote communities. I also iron ore in the world—so pure what they wanted, sometimes residents of the Arctic, and the considered Nunavut’s enormous bulk samples have been sent and leaving behind a huge mess such dominion they have established and rich mineral potential. welcomed in smelters in Europe as the 200,000 tonnes of arsenic for Canada by virtue of their BY Conservative Sen. While I know that it is trite without processing beyond being trioxide which was left behind continuous use and occupa- and simplistic to say that jobs will crushed. A Chinese firm has just and underground in primitive tion of the Arctic for thousands Dennis Patterson cure all society’s ills, I do believe invested $1-billion to gain a stake containment after Giant Mine in of years. Sovereignty includes that the enormous potential for in another iron ore deposit at near- Yellowknife closed in the 1990s. Canada’s obligation to protect s a new Member of the Sen- mining in all three regions of by Roche Bay on Melville Penin- Those days are gone in the the Arctic from environmental or Aate for Nunavut, Canada’s Nunavut represents opportunities sula. Peregrine Diamonds found North. In Nunavut, the Inuit developmental degradation. And largest region and largest coast, which can help ease this profound 50 kimberlite pipes on south Baffin land claim agreement guaran- I believe asserting sovereignty I asked myself what themes I social problem and offer hope and Island this summer—an average of tees aboriginal representation includes seizing the opportunity should pursue in representing this opportunity to these young men, one new pipe every one and a half on management boards which to realize the potential of the vast region with its small popu- replacing low self-esteem with the days—within 100 kilometres of the review and recommend all renewable and non-renewable lation, still suffering from high confidence and rewards of good Nunavut capital of Iqaluit. aspects of mining proposals, resources of the North, while unemployment and leading nega- paying jobs in an Arctic environ- There are other equally including impacts on environ- increasing meaningful job oppor- tive health and social indicators. ment well familiar to Inuit whose spectacular mineral deposits in ment and water. Land claims tunities and wealth in the North I especially considered the culture is based on affinity to the neighbouring regions: Agnico agreements have given aborigi- and in Canada. alarmingly high numbers of our land. Eagle’s $1.5-billion Meadowbank nal people and their development Conservative Sen. Dennis population, young men aged 18 Nunavut, often ignored in past mine near Baker Lake—Nuna- corporations significant owner- Patterson, a former premier of to 25, who choose to end their mineral exploration, is turning vut’s only operating mine; the ship of surface and sub surface the N.W.T., is a member of the own lives in numbers 11 times out to have significant and excep- nearby Meliadine property now lands, jobs, training, business Senate’s National Security and the national average—the victims tional mineral resources. being developed by the same and equity participation opportu- Defence Committee. typically alienated from their Take my home region of Baf- company; another nascent gold nities and a guaranteed (five per [email protected] parent’s traditional and reward- fin Island. Baffinland Iron Ore mine near the regional capital of cent) stream of resource revenue The Hill Times 42 THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : YUKON Yukon known for its growing economy, potential for future expansion In the coming months, Canada’s three territorial premiers will build on their vision for the North with the release of a pan-territorial strategy on climate change adaptation and an inventory of renewable energy initiatives.

Yukon is home to an international airport with regular service from Cal- gary, Edmonton and Vancouver, as well as seasonal service between Frankfurt, Germany and Alaska. Yukon communities are connected by all-weather roads and to BY Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie Alberta, British Columbia and Alaska by modern highways. HITEHORSE, YUKON—Yukon We are improving the world-famous Wis well-known as the Land of the Alaska Highway through the Canada- Midnight Sun and the home of the Klon- U.S. Shakwak project. This highway dike Gold Rush of 1898. Today’s Yukon is corridor enables year-round access also known for its growing economy and from the southern states and Canada potential for future expansion. to Alaska. The Dempster Highway In 2009, Yukon posted the highest through Yukon provides Canada’s only real growth in the country. In five of road access to the Arctic Ocean and the the last six years Yukon’s GDP growth Northwest Passage. outperformed the national average. Our Yukon also connects to the rest of the economy is forecast to grow three to four world through telecommunications infra- per cent in 2010, based on the continued structure; more than 98 per cent of Yukon strength of construction, and mineral homes and businesses have broadband exploration and production activity. internet access. Yukon’s population has been growing A positive investment climate, natural steadily since 2004, averaging an annual resources, infrastructure, and our proximi- growth of 2.6 per cent, a trend that is ty to major economic centres have contrib- expected to continue. uted to our strong economic performance

Photo courtesy of Cpl. Darcy Lefebvre, Combat Camera Our population is well-educated, with and will continue to promote growth. the highest percentage of citizens with To further diversify our economy, Look out below: Master Cpl. Billy Ternes jumps out of a CC-115 Buffalo during an Armed Forces post-secondary education in Canada Yukon is strengthening its trade, tour- search and rescue exercise last September. according to the most recent Statistics ism and investment links with Asia and Canada report. Europe, while continuing to enhance our Investments the Yukon government has economic links and intergovernmental made to support responsible economic cooperation within Canada and with our development and in its communities and neighbours. people are paying dividends in advancing To support economic advancements, our territory. Such investments are rooted in we are investing in our energy infrastruc- our belief that healthy, sustainable commu- ture; an enhanced hydroelectric develop- nities in the North are the building blocks of ment in central Yukon is planned to come Canada’s sovereignty and security. on stream next year. Proposed pipelines With the transfer of natural resources along the Alaska Highway and down the responsibilities from the federal govern- Mackenzie Valley will also support growth Anne Golden, President and Chief ment in 2003, decisions about Yukon land, in Yukon’s own natural gas sector. Details oil and gas, mining, forests and water have In the coming months, Canada’s three been made in Yukon by Yukoners. territorial premiers will build on their Executive Officer, The Conference Eleven of 14 Yukon First Nations are vision for the North with the release of a Board of Canada, is proud to announce Wed., Dec. 1, 2010 self-governing and have concluded mod- pan-territorial strategy on climate change ern-day treaties giving them the rights and adaptation and an inventory of renewable the 2010 CIBC Scholar-in-Residence 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. responsibilities to manage and develop energy initiatives. The Conference their lands and resources. These documents will complement the Book Launch and Reception. As a result of First Nation treaties, Yukon government’s Energy Strategy and Board of Canada Yukon also has a unique environmental Climate Change Action Plan. Together, 255 Smyth Road assessment regime, with a ‘single-window’ these initiatives support our belief in This year’s CIBC Scholar-in-Residence Chairs— review process with fixed timelines to Ottawa ON developing our economy responsibly, now Thomas Berger, Steven Kennett, and Hayden King— assess the environmental and socio-eco- and for generations to come. assessed the effectiveness of land use planning in nomic effects of projects and other activi- We believe that research and innova- ties in Yukon. tion are essential components of our grow- Canada’s North from three very different perspec- These advances in governance have ing economy. Our government is working tives: keep it up, fix it up, and give it up. This book placed decisions about responsible, bal- to build a northern-based knowledge sec- anced development in the hands of Yukon- tor. is a result of their research. ers. Local decision making along with our Yukon College is a leader among north- natural resource and other advantages has ern institutions and is actively working in The 10-year CIBC Scholar-in-Residence Program helped fuel strong economic performance. partnership with the Yukon government to Yukon’s mineral endowment is large enhance its research capacity. Currently, brings renowned scholars to the Conference Board and varied, offering opportunities in base it houses a number of institutes focusing to examine issues of national importance related to and precious metals. We are one of the on cold climate research in addition to the best places in the world for mining invest- Northern Technology Innovation Centre, improving Canada’s economic and social prosperity. ment, ranked fourth out of 51 jurisdic- the Northern Research Institute, and the tions in a 2010 survey of mining company Social Economy Research Network of executives. Mining expenditures in Yukon Northern Canada. Canada’s North— are expected to triple with new mines and The importance of understanding the This is a complimentary event and space is limited. What’s the Plan? activities. North has never been greater. We are com- With access to two ice-free deep water mitted to working with industry, Yukon E-mail [email protected] to reserve ports, Yukon mineral and other products First Nations and with other governments your spot! can move quickly to market, as these ports to support business development, tour- are closer to major Asian centres than oth- ism, trade and investment opportunities. A ers in western Canadian. stronger and more prosperous Yukon will Port access through our partnership ensure sovereignty and security in the with Alaska is only one example of how North to the benefit of all Canadians. conferenceboard.ca well-connected Yukon is to the rest of the [email protected] world. The Hill Times THE H ILL T IMES , M ONDAY , N OVEMBER 15, 2010 43 CANADA’S NORTH POLICY BRIEFING : ICE HIGHWAY Canada’s world-renowned ENERGY ‘ice superhighway’ critical POLICY BRIEFING to N.W.T. economy Publication Date: The seasonal ice road is critical to the economy of the region, Dec. 6, 2010 Space Reservation contributing in excess of $1-billion to the economy of the Deadline: Dec. 1, 2010 N.W.T. More than $500-million a year in goods travel over the (Noon, Ottawa time) road to the diamond mines in Canada’s remote North.

It is a particularly challenging By TIM PATTERSON task as the thermometer record only extends back to about 1950 in the cen- TTAWA—For remote Northern Cana- tral Northwest Territories. Many of the Odian communities, ice roads and significant cycles influencing Arctic airstrips are critical supply links. Arctic climate are controlled by a variety of communities and regional mining indus- factors with decades—even centuries— tries depend heavily on these links for that are warmer and similar intervals the transportation of equipment, building that are cooler. supplies, oil, and essential goods neces- My research’s objective is to pro- sary for survival. vide high-resolution information on The world-renowned “ice superhigh- the effects of climate variability on way,” Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road aquatic and terrestrial environments (TCWR), is the only overland route that in the central Northwest Territories services mines and exploration camps and Nunavut. in the Northern Territories, including the Coring takes place through the ice Diavik Diamond Mine, Ekati Diamond along the route of the TCWR during Mine and the Snap Lake Mine. Begin- the winter trucking season. By cor- ning 70 kilometres north of Yellowknife, ing and comparing lake sediment of it traverses 600 kilometres, mostly over the past 3,500 years, we are able to frozen water. recognize cycles and trends impacting As many as 11,000 truckloads of fuel, climate change and predict possible equipment, and supplies are hauled future trends in climate, ice cover and The Hill Times North each winter during a short two- fire hazard. will fi nancial incentives not Canada is month season over the frozen lakes of There are many challenges in conduct- look at Canada’s and leadership now or ever will the Northwest Territories and Nunavut— ing research. Core samples are usually some of the most forbidding landscape collected in tiny, nameless lakes off the energy economy, role in the be an “energy imaginable. beaten path because the sedimentary including energy economy superpower,” as As one of the world’s largest export- record of big lakes has many other distur- ers of minerals and metals, Canada’s bances, making it difficult to find useful renewables, in this and at the oil, Prime Minister mining sector is an essential economic climate information. pillar. The seasonal ice road is critical to The harsh environment of the Arctic important policy gas, nuclear, Stephen Harper the economy of the region, contributing winter makes core sampling difficult. briefi ng to be geothermal, put it and what in excess of $1-billion to the economy While the convenience of the TCWR of the Northwest Territories. More than allows researchers to drive to collec- published in The Hill wind, and solar that means. $500-million a year in goods travel over tion locations, nothing is simple with Times on Dec. 6. industries. Top political the road to the diamond mines in Cana- temperatures dropping to -50 C with the da’s remote North. wind chill. We’ll investigate We’ll also dig and government As billions of dollars are involved in Even obtaining a supply of dry ice, bringing diamonds out of existing mines required to collect frozen ice cores, is the federal up the latest players to take and developing new ones, research deter- logistically challenging as this perishable government’s on whether or part. mining the long-term viability of this item must travel hundreds of kilometres route is imperative. from Edmonton to Yellowknife before With 87 per cent of the road built over reaching the research site. lakes, any change in ice stability, thick- Information on the long-term ness, and duration of cover can impact viability of the ice road is worth these its use. In 2006, the unusually mild and hardships as it is essential to find out stormy El Niño-influenced winter short- how to cope with shortened winter ened TWCR use by 26 days below aver- seasons. If important materials cannot age, resulting in only 6,841 loads going be brought into the North due to mild North. Consequently, substantial industry winters, companies may choose to can- losses were incurred. With traffic on the cel important projects before beginning ice road expected to increase to 14,000 the necessary groundwork. Should this loads a year, it is critical to provide data occur the Canadian economy would to policy-makers, planners and mine stand to lose in one of its most impor- developers. tant economic sectors. There are many different parties On the other hand, if we head into a with a vested interest in the Ice Road. period of cooler winters and longer ice- National Science and Engineering road seasons, then some marginal proj- Research Council (NSERC), the Geosci- ects could get the go-ahead. The impor- ence Office of the Northwest Territories, tance in determining climate cycles Communicate with those most responsible the Department of Indian and Northern and its impact on the TWCR is vital in Affairs, the North Slave Métis Alliance, making important policy decisions on for Canada’s public policy decisions. Natural Resources Canada’s Polar Con- northern economic development as well tinental Shelf Program, and a consor- as creating and maintaining northern tium of diamond mine companies which infrastructure. maintain the ice road have funded a Dr. Tim Patterson is a professor research project to assess the influence of geology at Carleton University in For more information or to reserve your government relations of natural climate variability and the Ottawa, Ont. and public affairs advertising space, contact The Hill Times possible impact of human-induced cli- [email protected] display advertising department at 613-232-5952 ext. 213 mate change. The Hill Times