Arctic leaders call for bigger investments in communities, job creation
Security and sovereignty in Canada’s North should be protected not just through patrol ships and boots on the ground, but through empowering people by investing in infrastructure in communities and job creation, say Arctic leaders. “The first and highest priority of our northern strategy is the protection of our Arctic sovereignty,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper […]
Observers split on reality of $16.2-billion Mackenzie Valley pipeline project
Observers and actors involved in the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project are split about whether the $16.2-billion scheme is a pipedream that market conditions won’t support or a plan that has all the support and potential to create jobs and allow cash to flow North. Since large natural gas deposits were first discovered in the Beaufort […]
Canada’s world-renowned ‘ice superhighway’ critical to N.W.T. economy
OTTAWA—For remote Northern Canadian communities, ice roads and airstrips are critical supply links. Arctic communities and regional mining industries depend heavily on these links for the transportation of equipment, building supplies, oil, and essential goods necessary for survival. The world-renowned “ice superhighway,” Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road (TCWR), is the only overland route that services […]
Yukon known for its growing economy, potential for future expansion
WHITEHORSE, YUKON—Yukon is well-known as the Land of the Midnight Sun and the home of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Today’s Yukon is also known for its growing economy and potential for future expansion. In 2009, Yukon posted the highest real growth in the country. In five of the last six years Yukon’s GDP […]
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 […]
