Mine isn't a popular view.
People have been living in the Arctic for eons. They ought to be sovereign people. They ought to be able to go to the UN and declare not only their hunting grounds, but also their nationality, be it Canadian or an independent nation, or hedge their bets on another country like the US or Russia.
I would suggest that we need to use several approaches together as one strategy.
Keep a strong Canadian Forces presence in Canada’s North
The Canadian Forces should have a strong presence in Canada’s North as a deterrence to those nations who would seek to lay claim to our sovereign areas due solely to us not being able to defend those areas. I think that having a strong presence there—just through that one act—would deter the United States of America, and other nations that have northern interests, from making such claims without very articulate arguments. It might even be adviseable for us to create several northern Canadian Forces Bases, perhaps one per each of the territories.
Populate Canada’s North
Having an Arctic presence is useless to us unless we plan to use the territories that we’re holding onto, and for that reason, I think it’s time that Her Majesty’s Government for Canada, particularly the Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, begin a massive campaign to promote residence in the Arctic and northern regions of the nation. There is much to be said for the culture and traditions of Canada’s northern peoples, and this would be a way to bring attention and awareness to what remains a relatively-secluded, unknown society to non-northern, mainstream Canada. I’m sure there are Canadians, or even new immigrants, who would greatly value the quieter nature of Canada’s North.
Strengthen Government services in Canada’s North
With the above two recommendations, this one would be essential. The Government needs to work together with the Governments of the Territories to ensure that Government services are up to par with the rest of Canada, and that other institutions—educational and health institutions, for example—are up to the task of supporting a larger, more urban population. As we populate Canada’s North, the task of developing existing townships and cities into urban centres is going to be a monumental task that should require a good deal of federal and territorial coordination—it would make sense for each of the territories to create a Ministry of Urban Development to work parallel to the federal Northern Development department.
Snowballs and a fort
Mine isn't a popular view.
People have been living in the Arctic for eons. They ought to be sovereign people. They ought to be able to go to the UN and declare not only they're hunting grounds, but also their nationality, be it Canadian or an independent nation, or hedge their bets on another country like the US or Russia.
The only part of the Canada's arctic border that's in dispute is the offshore border between the Yukon and Alaska. I would be willing to concede that to the US.
The Russians aren't claiming anything closer to us than the North Pole.
The Danes seem willing to settle their differences amicably regarding our border with Greenland. One island is in dispute and recent surveys support Denmark's claim.
The part of the arctic which concerns me are US claims that the NW passage is an international waterway. I disagree. Someone has to regulate it and clean up spills. They probably just want the right to send warships through the passage. I don't see a problem with that either as long as they clean up after themselves and respect the environment.
Canada should develop a capability to monitor and destroy if necessary anything which moves in the our region of the arctic. The means planes, ships and submarines. That's best done from the air.
Canada should develop a capability to monitor and destroy if necessary anything which moves in the our region of the arctic. The means planes, ships and submarines. That's best done from the air.
I would suggest that we need to use several approaches together as one strategy.
Keep a strong Canadian Forces presence in Canada’s North
The Canadian Forces should have a strong presence in Canada’s North as a deterrence to those nations who would seek to lay claim to our sovereign areas due solely to us not being able to defend those areas. I think that having a strong presence there—just through that one act—would deter the United States of America, and other nations that have northern interests, from making such claims without very articulate arguments. It might even be adviseable for us to create several northern Canadian Forces Bases, perhaps one per each of the territories.
Populate Canada’s North
Having an Arctic presence is useless to us unless we plan to use the territories that we’re holding onto, and for that reason, I think it’s time that Her Majesty’s Government for Canada, particularly the Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, begin a massive campaign to promote residence in the Arctic and northern regions of the nation. There is much to be said for the culture and traditions of Canada’s northern peoples, and this would be a way to bring attention and awareness to what remains a relatively-secluded, unknown society to non-northern, mainstream Canada. I’m sure there are Canadians, or even new immigrants, who would greatly value the quieter nature of Canada’s North.
Strengthen Government services in Canada’s North
With the above two recommendations, this one would be essential. The Government needs to work together with the Governments of the Territories to ensure that Government services are up to par with the rest of Canada, and that other institutions—educational and health institutions, for example—are up to the task of supporting a larger, more urban population. As we populate Canada’s North, the task of developing existing townships and cities into urban centres is going to be a monumental task that should require a good deal of federal and territorial coordination—it would make sense for each of the territories to create a Ministry of Urban Development to work parallel to the federal Northern Development department.
Addendum: Explanation of Votes
I voted for all of the options that you presented, because I think that any successful strategy to strengthen Canada’s Arctic presence, and to ensure our northern sovereignty, is going to require a certain amount of each of those options. We’re going to need a stronger Canadian Forces presence (because no nation can defend its sovereignty where there are no able defenders), we’re going to need to negotiate and seek the assistance of third parties, we’re going to need to be strong and forceful with our defense of our territories, and we’re going to need to be gentle and diplomatic, depending on the circumstances. This is a very complex issue.
Um, Iceland already is a sovereign state. Grab a coffee and catch up to the rest of the planet. (just ribbing you)You're completely wrong.
Every single northern border we have is under dispute.
The Americans dispute their boundaries with Canada.
The Russians dispute Canada's boundaries.
The EU says the high arctic should be under their administration and so they dispute Canada's northern boundaries.
The Danish dispute Canada's northern boundaries.
The Norwegians dispute our borders.
Iceland and Greenland are negotiating independence from Denmark and have indicated that they too will dispute Canada's boundaries if they become independent.
And most seagoing countries dispute Canada's control(as an internal passage) of any potential northern waterways.
Time to wake up and smell the coffee.
Use it or lose it.
Trex
Um, Iceland already is a sovereign state. Grab a coffee and catch up to the rest of the planet. (just ribbing you)