The North
Canada’s Arctic in the crucible
There are many different visions of the Arctic. There is Stephen Harper’s annual summer trip with its proclamations of “use it or lose it.” Yet, his promises for deep sea ports, ice breakers, and new research stations are now more noted as absent than fulfilled. For example, the ice-breakers were promised in 2005 and […]
Northern sovereignty must be more than a photo-op; Prime Minister must listen to and meet needs of northerners
Two weeks ago, at the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Québec City, Olivier de Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, was introduced as someone who had achieved “rock star” status in Canada. This was not a good thing. De Schutter’s report last spring was devastating. Canada has a serious food insecurity […]
Lack of infrastructure keeping North from realizing new economic opportunities
The federal government has big plans for the Arctic’s economic potential, but a lack of infrastructure is holding back development. NDP MP Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic, N.W.T.), whose riding covers the entire Northwest Territories, said the feds need to “step up to the plate” if they want to see northern economies flourish. Mr. Bevington’s […]
Harper should have appointed Foreign Affairs minister to head up Arctic Council
Next spring, the federal Conservative government will take over the chairmanship of the Arctic Council for the next two years. Prime Minister Stephen Harper broke with international precedent and instead of appointing the minister of Foreign Affairs chose Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq to chair the council. Aglukkaq stated in the House on Oct. 26 […]
We need to work with northern communities to ensure adequate food, housing, health services
New Democrats believe that we need to work in partnership with Inuit and northern communities to ensure access to adequate food, housing, and health services. On May 16, 2012, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, reported that aboriginal peoples in Canada experience high levels of food insecurity. The […]
Nunavut poised to lead country in terms of economic growth and new opportunities
IQALUIT, NUNAVUT—As Canada rethinks and rebuilds its economy to meet the challenges of a new century, Nunavut is poised to lead the country in terms of economic growth and new opportunities. Here’s why. With the country’s largest settled land claim, the question of Inuit ownership over an area one-fifth the size of Canada has […]
Feds committed to helping North realize true potential
As a proud northerner who is passionate about issues facing people living in Canada’s Arctic, I was honoured this year when Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed me as Canada’s chair of the Arctic Council. Established in Ottawa in 1996 with the Ottawa Declaration, the Arctic Council is the leading forum for cooperation on Arctic […]
Arctic hydrocarbon boom a long way off
Canada and its Arctic neighbours are sitting on vast hydrocarbon reserves above the Arctic circle, but it could be decades before the territories see mega projects like offshore oil and gas production or the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. Unlocking the Arctic’s full oil and gas potential could take decades, said Len Coad, director of energy, […]
Canada chairing Arctic Council at pivotal time
Canada will assume chairmanship of the Arctic Council at a time when powerful outsiders are seeking a permanent presence within the increasingly important international body, and experts are split on whether Canada should support granting observer status to China, the EU, and others. “The importance of an international organization like the Arctic Council is […]
