Event Summary:
Summary by
Laura Sunderland
18 March, 2009
Click here to watch the video “Use It or Lose It: What’s Next for Canada’s Arctic Policy?”
On March 18 2009, CIC convened its second national videoconference event, entitled “Use It or Lose It: What’s Next for Canada’s Arctic Policy?” The event was headquartered at the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto and featured Franklyn Griffiths, Rob Huebert and Whitney Lackenbauer - CIC’s three Research Fellows whose research focuses on questions of Arctic security and sovereignty. CIC’s Toronto, National Capital and Vancouver Branches participated in the event, while other viewers contributed to the discussion by webcast.
CIC-Toronto Branch President Keith Martin delivered welcoming remarks. Senator Hugh Segal, CIC Executive Vice-Chair, formally opened the discussion by noting that the Arctic, while far away geographically, is very close to Canadian hearts. He noted that there must be an understanding of the Arctic that takes into account geographic, geopolitical and human concerns.
Firstly, CIC Research Fellow Whitney Lackenbauer described some of the historical trends that define the Canadian understanding of the Arctic, including periods of political alarmism and what Dr. Lackenbauer calls the “Polar saga.” Dr. Lackenbauer highlighted the human element in the Arctic and argued that if Canadian Arctic policy focuses only on issues of security and a “use it or lose it” mentality, then Canadians will lose.
Secondly, CIC Research Fellow Franklyn Griffiths outlined the many ways in which the Arctic is changing, particularly in terms of environmental degradation and the potential for violent conflict between Arctic countries. Dr. Griffiths argued that Canadian policymakers should focus on shaping Arctic governance by creating capacity for cooperative, international stewardship in the Arctic. Dr. Griffiths suggests that this can be done in three key ways: elevate Arctic issues to the highest political level and integrate Arctic foreign policy into the mainstream; engage Russia and the US in an active way and enlarge and strengthen the Arctic Council to include non-Arctic countries and non-governmental organizations as active members.
Lastly, CIC Research Fellow Rob Huebert suggested that the main problem is the Canadian understanding of sovereignty and security. While other Arctic countries are preparing capacity to fight wars in the Arctic, Canadians are trying to answer the question “security for what?” The Arctic is transforming in a significant way due to climate change, the economic reality that 30% of all undiscovered natural gas and 13% of all undiscovered oil is located in the Arctic, and the geopolitical tensions related to the Law of the Sea and continental shelf arguments. Dr. Huebert argued that Canada needs to develop surveillance and enforcement capabilities for search and rescue missions and for security surveillance. Canada requires political will in order to articulate what we want the Arctic for and also needs capabilities to defend that decision internationally.
The presentations were followed by an engaging and informative discussion with CIC’s Vancouver, National Capital and Toronto Branches. Keith Martin also read questions submitted by webcast participants from locations such as Yellowknife and Germany.
View the event flyer: Flyer.
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