On The Hill

There always seem to be questions asked about Canadian identity. Who are we? What does it mean to be Canadian? And what must people from other nations think of us?

Less often do we ask ourselves about the status of our territory internationally. What land – and which waterways – belong to Canada? And how do we prove it?

As a global warming trend continues, these questions are becoming very important in the North. Most of the islands in the Arctic archipelago that reaches north from our mainland territory are recognized as land belonging to our country.

But many countries, most notably the United States, have disputed our right to govern the North-West passage. This waterway, linking the north Atlantic and the north Pacific has been a dream route for commerce for hundreds of years. But only recently – with the melting of ice earlier each summer – does the dream seem to be within reach.

We should never hesitate to point out that it is in the United States’ self-interest for us – a staunch ally and their largest trading partner – to be proprietor and guardian of the North-West passage. There are many in the U.S. who would be more than happy for us to assume control. But even if the American government recognized our ownership, other nations would find it in their interest to contest our claim.

The international law governing possession of territory depends on recognition by foreign countries and an ability to demonstrate use of claimed territories. To now, other countries have lacked both the desire and the ability to make challenges. But if we do not act to demonstrate ownership over our Northern waters and islands we may face a rude awakening early in this century.

A Time to Take Action

I want to make a point of commending Prime Minister Harper for his decision to act on Arctic sovereignty and purchase three icebreakers. There will another time at which we can evaluate the costs and benefits of his national defence plans for the north, including his specific choice of military icebreakers, but for the time being I am pleased that he appears to understand the implications of not acting swiftly. The ice is melting and some experts suggest we have no more than 15 years to prove our claim in deeds.

His announcements follows in the footsteps of the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Graham, who made a point of visiting Hans Island himself as the Minister of Defence last summer. Hans Island remains a territory in the North whose status is disputed by Denmark. Mr. Graham’s visit was a clear statement about our northern sovereignty, and one that would not be emulated by the equivalent Danish minister.

Both national security and the environment are at stake. If we do not own the North-West passage, we cannot enforce legislation like the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act. And if foreign naval vessels are entitled to use the North-West passage, the Arctic immediately becomes our most vulnerable coast in an era when we may expect human activity, from settlement to industry, to shift northward.