Northerners think feds are ‘out of touch’ with the North, data suggests
Northerners say the federal government is “out of touch” with the North, does not meet their needs, and does not fairly represent them, according to a convenience sample study conducted by the Angus Reid Forum. The data, while anecdotal in nature, offers a glimpse into the frustrations and issues facing those living in Canada’s territories, […]
Spotty internet access puts North at serious disadvantage
You’re reading this article right now, and you probably didn’t have to wait more than a second for the page to load. You might be cheekily scanning it while stuck on a boring Zoom call, and, if you’re like me, with a dozen other tabs open in your browser. It’s a nice privilege to have […]
Time to retool Canada’s Arctic strategy in the face of Russian aggression
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has Canada, its NATO allies, and foreign policy scholars looking to the Arctic region as the potential next site for future Russian aggression—with good reason. Russia’s buildup on the borders of Ukraine took place over a period of months. The buildup of Russia’s Arctic military capacity has been underway for years. […]
It is time to reconsider the development of Resolute Bay
OTTAWA—The Russian invasion of Ukraine has amplified the need for Canada to review its security posture in the Arctic. Even the territorial leadership is now concerned with the government’s ability to provide security in the Arctic, and have requested a meeting with the prime minister. Although our critical arctic domain awareness has improved over the […]
Increased military presence in the North could provide much-needed infrastructure to the region: MPs, experts
Northern MPs are open to the idea of an increased military presence in the Arctic, and say they could see the benefit of sinking military dollars into the remote region, insofar as it would have the side effect of improving infrastructure for locals. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has some in Canada worried […]
Time to re-evaluate Canada’s defence spending, writes Mike Mueller
Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is forcing a close examination of defence and foreign policy with a focused attention on the need for Canada to have the means to play a bigger role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and continental defence within NORAD. From a NORAD perspective, more than ever, the security of […]
Military investments in the North must also benefit northern communities
Any increase to military spending and resources in Canada’s Arctic must also have the dual function of serving Canada’s northern communities. Amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine, Russia’s involvement in Arctic co-operation has been called into question, as seven of the eight members of the Arctic Council have withdrawn their membership and refused […]
Work across the aisle to advance gender equality in the Arctic
I was raised by a single mother of four boys—not an easy task in the 1960s and ’70s. But she managed to keep food on the table and clothes on our backs and care for us all by working three to four jobs at the same time. After I was born, she needed to change […]
Ottawa on the hook for $4-billion tied to abandoned mines’ cleanup in the North
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for $4-billion in environmental liabilities for mines abandoned by private operators in the territories, according to the federal government’s public accounts for 2020-21. This figure represents the amount required to bring 162 contaminated sites back up to current minimum environmental standards. But in extreme cases the remediation […]
It’s time for a serious rethink on Canada’s border strategy
The unprecedented threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has forced unprecedented responses, not least in Canadian border security management. Faced with the surging Omicron variant, the Government of Canada is once again advising against non-essential travel. But whatever happens in this latest COVID wave, the time has come to assess the effects of prolonged limits […]
