‘Idea of a superpower’s rhetorically fun, but it doesn’t mean very much’ say energy stakeholders
While the government has touted Canada’s aim to become a “clean energy superpower,” some energy industry observers say it is a term more “rhetorically fun” than substantive and they question whether the government really wants to be a superpower. Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) first spoke of Canada as an “emerging energy superpower” […]
Canada needs a national energy strategy to set framework for future, say stakeholders
Canada has an abundance and diversity of energy sources that greatly contribute to the country’s economic health, but as the energy industry moves to extract oil and gas from more difficult places and renewable energy sources gain more market share, everyone from environmentalists to petroleum producers say Canada needs a national energy strategy to set […]
Industry observers say Paradis taking back-seat role on energy files
While energy industry observers say former environment minister Jim Prentice did what he could to move forward with a difficult portfolio, they are generally more critical of Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis (Mégantic-L’Érable, Que.) for taking more of a back-seat role on his file. Mr. Paradis started on the job in January, grabbing the baton […]
High moral tone, meaning well, do not make foreign policy
Joseph Stalin, on being told that the Pope was opposed to some course of action the Soviet dictator favoured, famously sneered, “How many divisions does the Pope have?” The Catholic Church had the last laugh, of course; good men and women fought back against Communism. But Stalin’s question is a brutal reminder that moral principles […]
Getting on the right track sea ice, Inuit trails and importance of Arctic sovereignty
OTTAWA—The political and economic significance of the Arctic is rapidly increasing with potential implications for Canadian sovereignty. The potential opening of the Canadian Archipelago and the Northwest Passage for regular shipping has prompted interest from external actors regarding energy, mining and shipping. While most international leaders prefer to approach Arctic issues from the standpoint of […]
Time to create cyber cooperation in Canadian Arctic
Whilst the Arctic is a key policy priority for Canada, the tendency for government and media to focus on competition between Arctic nations for sovereign control of the region obscures a critical need. Although the government has begun developing infrastructure such as deep water ports and physical facilities as part of its strategy for the […]
Mining no longer a bad word in Canada’s North
As a new Member of the Senate for Nunavut, Canada’s largest region and largest coast, I asked myself what themes I should pursue in representing this vast region with its small population, still suffering from high unemployment and leading negative health and social indicators. I especially considered the alarmingly high numbers of our population, young […]
Exercising our sovereignty in North must be a priority
As the Member of Parliament for Nunavut, regional minister responsible for the North, and someone who was born and raised in Canada’s largest region, I am honoured to be part of a government that understands and appreciates the importance of Canada’s North. Canada’s North is a fundamental part of Canada—it is part of our heritage, […]
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. After all, Canada and Russia have a lot in common and Russia could bring much value added. We share a similar geography in the northern parts of our countries. Russia extends from 30 […]
North needs all-weather road through Mackenzie Valley to Tuktoyaktuk on Arctic coast
YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T.—The history of Canada could be written as a tale of epic adventure, and the people of the Northwest Territories are ready to craft its newest chapters. We believe our part of this rich story can contribute to the solution of many of the challenges facing Canada today. From the exercise of Canada’s sovereignty […]
