Mary Simon,
"Sovereignty from the North"
(page 3 of 3)
The crisis caused by Russia planting its flag at the North Pole is
somewhat different from past episodes, and it holds important messages
for Canada. Russia hasn't strayed into Canadian territory to plant a
flag. They have acted first in a contest of interests to demarcate their
claims to continental shelf margins. Indeed, Russia acted some time ago,
in 2001, by filing a claim with the United Nations, as permitted by the
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
What has Canada been doing since 2001? The federal government has a
plan to act by 2013, as required under UNCLOS, but too often it
substitutes press releases for action. In recent interviews, the lead
scientist for Canada on this file concedes that the country will be in
trouble with its claims if ice conditions hamper scientific studies in
the Arctic basin over the next five years. Again Canada is playing
catch-up while Russia's objectives are clear.
As Eric Posner, professor of law at the University of Chicago,
recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal, "Russia's expression of power
is credible; Canada's is not. Canada cannot prevent other countries from
sending ships up the Northwest Passage, as the U.S. has demonstrated from
time to time for just this purpose."
Surely some lessons have been learned. The time has come to listen to
Arctic voices on the subject of integrating the region with mainstream
Canada. Would not a better strategy be to make this bountiful and
magnificent region a part of Canada's daily experience? The millions
spent on political posturing, tours and studies that go nowhere, and
press releases could be better spent on lasting, community-oriented
infrastructure. Inuit are well-organized politically—regionally,
nationally, and on the international level. Together, we have developed
an Inuit Action Plan, which was submitted to the federal government in
February. We are in the post-land-claims era now, and this plan is a
testament to that. It identifies the tangible, bricks-and-mortar
projects that need doing, as well as the intangible but no less vital
elements of our future: hope for our children, better relationships with
the rest of Canada, etc.
Rather than training military personnel from southern Canada to drive
Ski-Doos up and down Ellesmere Island (usually with Inuit guides) to
demonstrate our "control" over the Arctic, would it not make more sense
to invest in the economies of Nunavut, Nunavik, the Inuvialuit region,
and Nunatsiavut, to ensure that Inuit youth have meaningful
opportunities in their communities? Inuit have offshore rights
recognized in their land claim agreements, for instance. Implementation
of these agreements should be seen as a primary element of Canada's
assertion of sovereignty. But more importantly, it should be seen as a
way to integrate this vitally important region with mainstream Canada.
The Arctic is a region whose time has come for Canada. For the Inuit,
it is our homeland, the place where we want to be. For all Canadians,
the Arctic must become part of daily life, not just a remote region with
beautiful icescapes and polar bears. It is a place where people live,
where families are raised, where problems need solving, and where
resources exist that will continue to nurture people and finance this
wonderful place called Canada. We are here and we will stay. We are also
here to work with governments as stewards and guardians of this
homeland.
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