The North has shaped Canadians’ culture and character and the vast expanses of our Arctic have always been an essential part of the Canadian identity. And now, as the North becomes more accessible than ever before, the Arctic’s natural wealth has also become central to our country’s economic well-being in the future.
But, like any prized possession, there are others who covet it. Although Canada has staked the portion of the Arctic between the 60th and 141st West longitudes as sovereign territory for nearly a century, there are still some countries that dispute our claim. With other nations becoming more interested in the Arctic’s rich resource potential, we must act decisively to exercise our sovereignty while strengthening the safety and security of Canadians living in our High Arctic.
Our government is doing exactly that through our four-part Northern Strategy to: develop a strong northern economy, encourage good governance, assert local control, and create opportunities for Northerners.
Our ability to defend our northern lands will be key to our claims of dominion. Through measures such as this past summer’s Operation NANOOK - a major sovereignty exercise conducted by the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Coast Guard – our government is bolstering Canada’s ability to protect the integrity of our Northern territory.
Sovereignty is further promoted when northern communities become more self-sufficient, healthy and safe.
To that end, our government’s recent support for major upgrades to Churchill Airport’s taxiways, ramps, runways and terminal will help make this northern community a gateway to our vast northern lands, and a conduit for the goods, services and opportunities that Northern Canadians rely upon.
In addition, the prime minister announced recently that Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, had been chosen as the location of Canada’s new High Arctic Research Station.
This world-class, year-round, multidisciplinary facility will explore Arctic science and technology while creating jobs, fostering economic and social development, and helping us understand and protect our northern environment.
Through investments in infrastructure, research, industry and a capacity to defend Canada’s sovereignty in the North, our government is keeping the ‘true North strong and free.’
