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Presentation of: Dr. James Lunney Member of Parliament Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs (Canada) Second Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum Tromso, Norway Feb 22, 2011 Mr. Chairman, (Members of the Norwegian, The Norwegian Sami parliament, Icelandic, European and Russian parliaments, the Baltic Assembly, the Baltic Sea Parliamentary conference, colleagues from the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, the network of Barents Parliamentarians, the Nordic council, the Parliamentary Assembly for North West Russia, and The West Nordic Council)…. and colleagues from our many parliamentary bodies and associations, C’est vraiment un plaisir d’être ici ce soir avec vous-tous …. It’s a pleasure to be here today to address this Second Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum and provide an overview of Canada’s perspective and engagement on Arctic issues. I appreciate the beautiful expression of Sami culture at the opening of this forum; such expressions of culture really bring out the human dimension to our important discussions. To begin let me say that it is indeed a delight to be here in Tromso; ....a cultural capital, a University and Scientific Centre... and a spectacular setting for this gathering. I would also like to express my thanks to our Norwegian hosts for receiving us so warmly for this important gathering… Last year at this time, Canada was basking in the afterglow of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. You may recall that the symbol of our most successful games ever was the Inukshuk, the iconic symbol of the Canadian arctic and our Inuit people. Canada has a profound interest in our Arctic region. It is home to a wealth of natural resources and expanding economies. Above all, it is home to over 125 000 Canadians who live, work and thrive in bustling yet remote communities. The well-being of our Northern people is at the heart of all of Canada’s actions in the Arctic. Indeed, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has personally toured our vast Northern Territories in each of the past five summer seasons, witnessing naval exercises, visiting remote communities and sites of strategic and future investments. --------- As you know Canada is an active member of the Arctic Council (AC); Canada considers the Arctic council the leading forum for co-operation on Arctic issues and participates in all six of its working Groups. Support for AC activities is an important aspect of achieving the goals set out in Canada’s Northern strategy and Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy under the following four pillars: 1) exercising our Arctic sovereignty; 2) promoting social and economic development; 3) protecting our environmental heritage; and 4) improving and devolving governance. Canada is working collaboratively with other arctic states, permanent (indigenous) participants and observers on a range of high priority initiatives. As examples we have leading or co-lead roles in the Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA) initiative. We are involved The Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON), and the important Mercury Assessment project which will be delivered at the Nuuk ministerial meeting coming up in May, 2011. We also have focussed participation in the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment, the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, the Arctic Marine Shipping assessment and the Human Health experts Group to highlight just a few of the many and necessary collaborative efforts that are underway through the Arctic Council. Canada will actively promote northern economic and social development, taking steps to create the appropriate international conditions for sustainable development, seeking trade and investment opportunities that benefit Northerners and all Canadians; and encouraging a greater understanding of the human dimension of the Arctic to improve the lives of Northerners. Three priority areas of foreign policy that Canada is pursuing in the Arctic include: 1) seeking to resolve boundary disputes in accordance with international law; 2) securing international recognition for the full extent of our extended continental shelf, so as to define with precision where we can exercise our sovereign rights over the resources of the seabed and subsoil; and 3) addressing Arctic governance and related emerging issues, such as public safety. I am sure we can all agree that the blistering pace of change has stretched the institutional capacity of all governments; hence, the need for international dialogue, engagement and collaboration. As the North becomes increasingly accessible for commercial activities, it is incumbent on governments to resolve differences and to ensure appropriate regulatory regimes in order to provide certainty and stability for the region. Without clarity on boundaries, viability and sustainability could be at risk. That’s why making progress on outstanding boundary issues is a priority for Canada. We were encouraged that Russia recently settled its Barents Sea maritime dispute with Norway after 40 years of extensive negotiations. Our government has given high priority to our work on securing recognition for the full extent of the extended continental shelf. We are increasing our collaboration with partners for data collection and information exchange to expedite this process. Canada will make its submission to the UN, on schedule in 2013, in conformity with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We are also engaging with the United States and Denmark on the remaining disputed boundaries in the Beaufort Sea and Hans Island. Canada exercises its sovereignty daily through good governance and responsible stewardship, whether related to social and economic development, Arctic science and research, environmental protection, the operations of the Canadian Forces or the activities of our Coast Guard. We are increasing our capacity in the North to monitor, protect and patrol our land, sea and sky. Canada is strengthening its presence in our North. From the procurement of new and modernized patrol ships and expanded military training facilities - to ongoing military exercises and surveillance operations- our commitment to exercising our sovereignty remains the foremost pillar of our arctic foreign policy. In addition to that, our investments in the RADARSAT project allow us to defend our arctic sovereignty, protect the arctic environment and our resources in the north. Understanding the opportunities and the challenges of Arctic resource development and establishing relevant guidelines, best practices and standards is necessary for sustainable development in the Arctic. Developing a mandatory polar code for shipping, implementing robust oil and gas regulations for safe and efficient drilling, and the provision of hydrographic services for safe navigation will remain key priorities in our work at the domestic and international level. Marine safety is an area of growing importance as more and more vessels enter northern waters and encounter difficulties. Canada looks forward to the successful adoption of a Search and Rescue Agreement at the Nuuk ministerial. Domestically, Canada has long been a leader in the protection of the Arctic environment. We were the first country to pass legislation to protect our Arctic waters. We recently finalized and put into force new regulations that require vessels to report when they are entering and operating within Canadian Arctic waters. The goal of these regulations is not to interfere with navigation but to protect sensitive eco-systems and our Northern communities and they are an indication of Canada’s resolve to exercise stewardship over Canadian lands and waters. We have made a strong commitment to Arctic science – the foundation for sound policy and decision-making on the environment. Indeed, Canada was the single largest contributor to the International Polar Year, taking partnerships in circumpolar research to new levels. Canada’s legacy to the International Polar Year will be the establishment of a world-class research station in Cambridge Bay in the High Arctic. The opportunities this will bring to Canada and to the global research community will be enormous. There are many more issues that may be discussed as the forum unfolds: for example in the area of Public Health in the North where an innovative program for maternal - child health surveillance has been developed; the EU ban on import of Canadian seal products, which has now gone to international dispute resolution through WTO… … or Canada’s ongoing engagement with the International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) and the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP) to address spent nuclear fuel and radiological waste issues in Russia. We are committed to working collaboratively with our Arctic neighbours to advance shared priorities, …. to address common challenges and to fulfill our vision of the Arctic as a region of stability, where Arctic states work to foster sustainable development. I wish to thank you for the opportunity to address you today... I look forward to further discussions as the forum continues. Thank you for your kind attention. Merci beaucoup!
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