Report

COMPOSITION OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

A Canadian delegation attended the 13^th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (CPAR)[1] and the meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (the Standing Committee)[2] held in Inari, Finland, from 16 to 19 September 2018. The delegation comprised:

• Honourable Larry Bagnell (Member of Parliament for Yukon, Head of Delegation, Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee);
• Senator Dennis Patterson (Nunavut);
• Senator Patricia Bovey (Manitoba);
• Ms. Yvonne Jones (Member of Parliament for Labrador);
• Mr. Larry Maguire (Member of Parliament for Brandon — Souris); and
• Ms. Georgina Jolibois (Member of Parliament for Desnethé — Missinippi — Churchill River).

The delegation also included Mr. Thai Nguyen, from the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament, as adviser, and Ms. Guyanne Desforges, Association Secretary.

The biennial CPAR and the Standing Committee[3] act as a parliamentary forum for issues relevant to the work of the Arctic Council.[4] The forum comprises delegations from the eight Arctic states (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United States) and the European Parliament. CPAR and the Standing Committee also include Permanent Participants representing Indigenous peoples, as well as observers (see Appendix 1).

MEETING SUMMARY

A. PLANNING SESSION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE WITH CPAR OBSERVERS   

On 16 September 2018, Hon. Larry Bagnell chaired the planning session of the Standing Committee. Echoing the views of his colleagues, he emphasized that Arctic parliamentarians have a common objective in preserving the region as a zone of cooperation and peace. Hon. Larry Bagnell also reminded delegates that all decisions at the Conference are based on consensus. The planning session was followed by the first meeting of the Drafting Committee responsible for finalizing the Conference Statement to be adopted at the end of the Conference. Members of the Standing Committee also met with observer delegations to discuss the following subjects.

1. Representation of Indigenous Organizations   

Mr. Grigorii Ledkov, representing the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON), noted that Indigenous peoples and organizations are underrepresented in many parliaments and parliamentary forums. The RAIPON representative added that, for this 13^th CPAR, only the Sami Parliamentary Council and RAIPON are present while other Indigenous organizations, such as the Inuit Circumpolar Council and the Arctic Athabaskan Council, could not attend due to a probable lack of funding to travel.

2. Effectiveness of Conference Statements   

Mr. Sjurdur Skaale, Member of Parliament for the Faroe Islands/Denmark, questioned the effectiveness of previous Conference statements as, in his opinion, his national government seemed to be unaware of the content of the 12^th Conference Statement. Mr. Eirik Sivertsen, Member of Parliament from Norway and Chair of CPAR and the Standing Committee, reminded parliamentarians that it is their responsibility to convey the Conference Statement to their respective government and parliament.

Ms. Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, Member of Parliament for Greenland/Denmark, added, as governments come and go, Arctic parliamentarians must take the responsibility to sensitize their colleagues in their respective parliament to Arctic realities. Seal harvesting was given as an example of the lack of understanding from non-Arctic residents of Arctic Indigenous peoples’ livelihoods and traditions.    

3. University of the Arctic   

Mr. Lars Kullerud, representing the University of the Arctic, noted that the network of universities, colleges, research institutes and other organizations concerned with education and research in and about the Arctic exists thanks to the support of CPAR and the Standing Committee. Students at participating institutions in the north2north student mobility program can apply for an exchange grant to another partner university. [5]

According to the University of the Arctic’s delegate, there is currently a lack of economic sciences research in and about the Arctic. The University of the Arctic wholeheartedly supports the Arctic Council’s Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation.[6]This agreement will reinforce Arctic science diplomacy and enhance cooperation between Western and Russian scientists in the context of tensions between Arctic states outside the Arctic Region.

Mr. Ari Trausti Gudmundsson, Member of Parliament from Iceland, agreed with the above assessment and noted the need to pool knowledge from research completed in different Arctic regions. He noted the difficulty for non-Russian scientists to access Russian research publications as they are often published only in Russian. According to Senator Igor Chernyshenko from Russia, joint research initiatives, such as the Russia-China ship building research program, are conducive to the sharing of knowledge. A joint data bank was also proposed by the Russian delegation to enhance the state of knowledge about the circumpolar Arctic.  

Hon. Larry Bagnell indicated to participants that Yukon College, a member of the University of the Arctic, will become Yukon University in spring 2020 and will be Canada’s first Arctic university.[7] Yukon University will be focusing on education and research relevant to populations in the Canadian Arctic, contributing to a responsive, resilient and versatile economy and society.

In the opinion of Senator Patricia Bovey from Canada, a critical issue in education in the Arctic Region is the integration of traditional Indigenous knowledge into the science curriculum. Senator Valerii Markov from Russia also added that, to avoid being left behind in the global move towards digitalization and the knowledge economy, circumpolar Arctic cooperation needs to be enhanced in the field of education and integration of traditional knowledge.

4. Climate Change   

Several delegations, including the Sami Parliamentary Council, the World Wide Fund for Nature – Global Arctic Program, the United Kingdom, the Nordic Council, and Singapore, stressed climate change as a common social, economic, and environmental challenge for Arctic and non-Arctic residents. Therefore, they emphasized the development of renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change. Climate change can also present opportunities in areas such as fisheries, tourism and agriculture. However, in order to capitalize on those opportunities, Arctic digital and transportation infrastructure improvement is critical.

The need for better funding for science used in decision-making was mentioned at numerous occasions during discussions between Arctic parliamentarians and observer delegations. Mr. Sam Tan, Member of Parliament from Singapore, noted that Singapore, as an Arctic Council observer state, provides support for education and training in various environmental management fields (oil spills, shipping and marine navigation) for Arctic Indigenous peoples’ organizations such as the Sami Council and RAIPON. Singapore also seeks Arctic Indigenous leaders’ input in order to better understand Arctic realities through the lenses of Indigenous peoples.

5. Considerations of Indigenous Interests in Economic Development Projects   

According to Ms. Tiina Sanila-Aikio, President of the Sami Parliament of Finland, economic development projects in the Arctic must respect Indigenous interests and rights. For the Sami Parliamentary Council, economic development does not solely equate industrial growth but should also include the expansion and nurturing of Indigenous traditional economies (hunting, fishing and trapping).

In the view of Mr. Eirik Sivertsen, Chair of CPAR and the Standing Committee, environmental impact assessments of industrial projects in the Arctic need to fully consider Indigenous peoples concerns and traditional knowledge. He provided the example of the University of Tromso’s study on the avoidance by reindeers up to several kilometres from high-voltage power lines.[8] This behaviour was predicted by local Indigenous knowledge but was perplexing for non-Indigenous Norwegians because suspended cables are neither an impenetrable physical barrier nor associated with human traffic. The study, integrating science and traditional knowledge, provided compelling evidence that reindeers’ avoidance may be linked with the ability of animals to detect ultraviolet light discharges on power lines.

B. GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

1. Themes of the Conference   

Ms. Katri Kulmuni, Member of Parliament from Finland representing Lapland and Chair of the Finland-Russia Society, opened the 13^th CPAR by stressing the role of the Indigenous Sami Parliament in Finland. In her view, the four themes chosen for this Conference (digital infrastructure and economic development, climate change, corporate social responsibility, and social well-being) are significant as they represent common challenges and opportunities for all Arctic residents.

2. Land Use Challenges   

Mr. Toni Laine, Mayor of Inari, told delegates that Inari is experiencing a tourism boom with associated growth in the services sector. Inari has been succeeding by promoting its most important resource: nature. However, similarly to many other Arctic areas, there are challenges related to land use planning as industrial development can conflict with Sami reindeer herding activities.

3. Arctic Cooperation as a Model   

Mr. Eirik Sivertsen, Chair of CPAR and the Standing Committee, indicated that CPAR represents a unique opportunity for open discussions between parliamentarians on issues faced by Arctic residents. He noted that challenges in the Arctic cannot be solved by each Arctic country working in isolation from others. Multilateral cooperation is required is areas such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, and infrastructure building. Mr. Sivertsen added that the Arctic Council and CPAR are being considered as a successful international cooperation and stability-building model to emulate from by the eight states of the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region.[9]

For Mr. Sivertsen, a fundamental issue in the Arctic is who gets the benefits from economic development and natural resources exploitation. Therefore, social licence for industrial projects and capacity building for local residents are critical to ensure that Arctic residents benefit from development. In his opinion, the World Economic Forum’s Arctic Investment Protocol is an important step towards an inclusive, transparent, measurable and sustainable development of the Arctic.[10]

4. Indigenous Languages   

Ms. Tiina Sanila-Aikio, President of the Sami Parliament of Finland, emphasized the critical importance of languages for the preservation and flourishment of Indigenous cultures.[11] She noted that 2019 will be the International Year of Indigenous Languages, and language diversity is as important as biological diversity. In her view, a language is the mirror of a culture and its values, and contains the traditional knowledge of a people. For Ms. Sanila-Aikio, the implementation of the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) principle of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is essential to ensure the self-determination of Arctic Indigenous peoples.[12] In her opinion, FPIC should be obtained when proposing any industrial project affecting the lands of Indigenous peoples. “Nothing about us without us” describes the sustainable development goals through the eyes of Arctic Indigenous peoples.

Hon. Larry Bagnell indicated that the Canadian government is planning to soon introduce a bill to promote and protect Canada’s Indigenous languages. He also mentioned that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which he chairs, issued a report in June 2018 recommending that the use of Indigenous languages be recognized in the House of Commons. Ms. Tiina Sanila-Aikio welcomed Canada’s initiatives and added that digitalization of Indigenous languages remain a challenge as many Indigenous characters are still unrecognized by many commercial word processors.

5. Activities of the Arctic Council

Mr. Timo Soini, Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Arctic Council, informed delegates of the Arctic Council’s work progress under the Finnish chairmanship. He indicated that the Arctic Council and the Arctic Economic Council have increased cooperation in the development of telecommunications and meteorological infrastructures. The World Meteorological Organization, which gained observer status at the Arctic Council in 2017, is working to establish an Arctic regional climate centre network to enhance the dissemination of weather information to local communities.[13] Mr. Soini also mentioned that wildfires occurring in several Arctic countries during summer 2018 call for increased capacity to predict and prevent such events.

The importance of meteorological cooperation in the Arctic was also highlighted by Mr. Juhani Damski, Director General of the Finnish Meteorological Institute. He informed delegates of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2018.[14] The report cautions against complacency and stresses the need to prepare for dramatic disruptions due to extreme weather events and natural disasters over a 10-year horizon. Mr. Damski indicated that Indigenous knowledge in Arctic meteorological cooperation is essential and mentioned that a side event featuring Indigenous knowledge in meteorology will be organized by the Arctic Council during the ministerial meeting in 2019. He also provided the example of a successful Finland-Russia-United States cooperation initiative establishing a meteorological monitoring infrastructure in Siberia to support marine navigation in the Arctic.

6. Incoming Icelandic Chairmanship of the Arctic Council   

Mr. Ari Trausti Gudmundsson, Member of Parliament from Iceland, informed delegates of Iceland’s priorities during its upcoming chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 2019 to 2021: oceans management, climate change and green energy production, and infrastructure development to support the social well-being of Arctic residents.

Mr. Timo Soini, Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Arctic Council, commented that, during the visit of Finland’s President to Russia in summer 2018, Russia agreed to Finland’s initiative to organize an Arctic Summit involving heads of state and governments of the Arctic Council member states, as well as the heads of the Permanent Participants. He stressed the importance of circumpolar Arctic cooperation and mentioned that a successful and effective management of the Arctic Ocean requires cooperation from all Arctic nations.

C. THEMATIC SESSIONS

1. Digital Arctic and Economic Development   

Ms. Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, Member of Parliament for Greenland/Denmark, as rapporteur for this thematic session, told delegates that telecommunications infrastructure development is a critical element for a number of sectors in the Arctic, including emergency preparedness, search and rescue, education, and entrepreneurship fostering in an increasingly connected global economy. The cold climate of the Arctic can be an advantage in the digital economy if telecommunications, transportation and energy infrastructures are available. For example, the town of Lulea in Sweden was selected in 2013 by Facebook to establish its giant data centre, the Node Pole.[15] The remote data centre can cool itself using freezing outside air.

According to Mr. Janne Seurujarvi, Managing Director of Test World, thanks to its well-developed transportation and digital infrastructure, Inari has been chosen as a site for vehicles and tires testing by his company. The availability of transportation and telecommunications infrastructure in the Inari region facilitated the diversification of the local economy and the establishment of the high-tech and research-intensive vehicle testing industry.

The rapporteur mentioned the successful telecommunications infrastructure development case in Finland where the national government provides Internet access to locations where there is no commercial option. Mr. Fedot Tumusov, Member of Parliament from Russia, added that relying on market prices to develop telecommunications infrastructure in the Arctic is inappropriate given the region’s low population density and vastness. In the view of Ms. Aili Keskitalo, Sami Parliament in Norway, the digital divide also affects the survival of Indigenous languages as telecommunications standards favour dominant non-Indigenous languages.

Ms. Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament from Canada, and Russian Senator Igor Chernyshenko both mentioned the importance of telecommunications infrastructure for improving the quality and reducing costs of healthcare services in the Arctic. They also underscored that greater circumpolar Arctic cooperation is required in telecommunications infrastructure development.

2. Climate Change   

As rapporteur for the climate change thematic session, Mr. Ari Trausti Gudmundsson, Member of Parliament from Iceland, stressed the role of Arctic parliamentarians in raising awareness about climate change impacts in their respective parliament. Arctic parliamentarians should remind their southern counterparts that climate change in the Arctic has global implications and will affect southern cities, infrastructure and populations.

Mr. Lassi Heininen, University of Lapland, indicated that geopolitical messages conveyed in the media about the Arctic can be misleading since Arctic states have a common interest in preserving the region as a zone of cooperation and stability. Mr. Heininen explained the notion of Arctic negotiated exceptionalism and mentioned environmental protection and sustainable development as the main driver for circumpolar Arctic cooperation. In his view, the issue of Arctic security should also be analysed through the prism of global environmental security as stressed by the 2009 Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Resource Development Principles in Inuit Nunaat.[16]

Mr. Per-Olof Nutti, Sami Parliament in Sweden, explained to delegates the impacts of climate changes on the traditions and livelihoods of Sami reindeer herders. For the Sami people, climate change is also a food security issue. Ms. Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament from Canada, told delegates that Arctic parliamentarians are aware of the impacts of climate change on Arctic residents, but the difficulty lies in creating a mind shift among certain southern politicians and populations. Ms. Jones illustrated her argument by providing the example of Canada’s proposed regulations on marine protected areas and carbon pricing which have been contentious.

Mr. Sam Tan, Member of Parliament from Singapore, told delegates that political will is required for shifting peoples’ mind. Governments must take a precautionary approach in policy-making and need to invest in public education. Mr. Sjurdur Skaale, Member of Parliament from the Faroe Islands/Denmark, argued that policies must be economically driven in order to be successful. In his opinion, environmental policies should provide carrots instead of sticks.

3. Corporate Social Responsibility   

Hon. Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament from Canada, provided a speech on corporate social responsibility (CSR) as rapporteur for this thematic session. He reminded delegates that CSR has long been an issue of special interest during previous editions of CPAR. Hon. Bagnell also indicated that the 2013 Report to the United Nations Human Rights Council from James Anaya, the former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples acknowledged the need to develop meaningful CSR, and emphasized that solely focusing on governments is insufficient to respect Indigenous land rights.[17] In his speech, Hon. Bagnell touched upon the Towards Sustainable Mining initiative of the Mining Association of Canada,[18] impact benefit agreements in the Canadian Arctic, and the creation of the independent Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. [19]

Mr. Lars Kullerud, President of the University of the Arctic, indicated that current international CSR guidelines, with the possible exception of the Arctic Investment Protocol, do not include any provision specific to Arctic Indigenous peoples. He welcomed the Arctic Council’s Finnish chairmanship emphasis on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which encompass environmental, human and economic dimensions.[20] For Ms. Aili Keskitalo, Sami Parliament in Norway, the lack of Arctic-specific CSR guidelines may be less a problem than the proper implementation of existing international guidelines. She also raised the need to devise a legal framework that will ensure an equitable balance of power between large multinational corporations and Indigenous peoples.

Ms. Georgina Jolibois, Member of Parliament from Canada, informed delegates that, in Canada, regulations of natural resources development projects differ between territories and provinces. In northern Saskatchewan, these projects have brought few local benefits, and the commodities boom and bust cycle have instead created many mental health issues within local Indigenous communities. Canadian Senator Dennis Patterson indicated that, given the existence of the Nunavut land claims agreement clearly defining the role of Inuit on co-management boards defining regulations and the permitting process, industrial projects in Nunavut have had a more positive impact for the local population. Impact benefit agreements in the territory also outline the sharing of royalties and ensure that projects benefit the local communities.

Russian Senator Valerii Markov noted that Russia has always been attentive to the rich Canadian experience regarding natural resource development on Indigenous lands. He mentioned that Russia has been hosting workshops with Canadian experts on the issue and will follow with keen interest the evolution of the newly created office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. Mr. Lars Kullerud, University of the Arctic, indicated that Russia has an advantage over certain Arctic states by having a well-developed education system in the Arctic but also experienced similar challenges to their Arctic neighbours regarding land use and Indigenous rights.

4. Social-Well-Being of Arctic Residents   

Ms. Elena Kudryashova, Rector of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University in Russia, made a presentation on Arctic cooperation in social sciences research as rapporteur for this session. She indicated that the “Arctic: Territory of Dialogue” 5^th International Arctic Forum will take place in Arkhangelsk, Russia on 9–10 April 2019. The presidents of Iceland, Finland and Russia have confirmed their attendance to the forum that focus on improving living standards for Arctic residents and protecting the region’s environment, fostering sustainable economic growth, and strengthening international cooperation. [21]

Mr. Janne Nakkalajarvi, Sami Education Institute in Finland, gave a presentation on the importance of education and languages for the preservation of Sami culture. In his view, digital infrastructure development is a solution to the current shortage of Sami language teachers in Finland. However, the most significant factor in preserving the Sami language is reindeer herding activities and traditions as they are at the heart of Sami identity and culture.

In the view of Mr. Per-Olof Nutti, Sami Parliament in Sweden, social well-being means being in control of one’s future. Indigenous-led cultural and educational institutions are critical to re-establish the social system shattered by traumas associated to colonialism. He also mentioned that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is needed for the Sami people in Nordic countries.

Canadian Senator Patricia Bovey agreed with Mr. Per-Olof Nutti and informed delegates about Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s reports.[22] She added that reconciliation needs to go further becoming “reconciliaction.” In the Senator’s view, arts and culture are critical to social well-being, and arts should be seen as a pathway to heal traumas and mental health issues. The fostering of Indigenous arts and culture can also improve health, education and economic outcomes. Mr. Larry Maguire, Member of Parliament from Canada, added that the flourishment of Indigenous arts can play a role in raising awareness among non-Indigenous populations about Indigenous issues.

Senator Igor Chernyshenko from Russia indicated that the Sami people in Russia experiences similar challenges to those living in the Nordic countries as well as other Indigenous peoples throughout the Arctic Region. Therefore, he suggested enhanced circumpolar cooperation between Arctic Indigenous organizations.

Canadian Senator Dennis Patterson welcomed Iceland’s inclusion of social well-being among the priorities of its upcoming Arctic Council chairmanship. In his view, certain currently proposed policies in Canada need to be examined through the lenses of social well-being. For example, he felt the legalization of cannabis may create additional substance abuse problems in Arctic communities already ill-equipped to confront mental health and other social challenges.

D. 25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE   

The year 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Standing Committee.[23] A panel of discussion put forward several factors explaining the success of the Standing Committee and CPAR:

• The focus on issues relevant to the peoples living in the Arctic;
• The will of Arctic parliamentarians to find common ground;
• The involvement of parliamentarians, academics, Indigenous Permanent Participants and decision-makers;
• The dedication of chairs given election cycles in various member countries; and
• The role of Mr. Clifford Lincoln (Chair of the Standing Committee from 1998-2004) from Canada in the early and defining years of the committee.

In the view of Ms. Aili Keskitalo, Sami Parliament in Norway, Arctic cooperation forums such as CPAR, the Standing Committee and the Arctic Council are the most inclusive international organizations. Within these forums, Indigenous organizations can participate and contribute on an equal footing to other members. She noted, however, that earlier conference statements appear to be stronger on Indigenous issues compared to the later ones. Mr. Grigorii Ledkov, representing RAIPON, indicated that Indigenous organizations still experience funding and capacity issues to effectively contribute to all circumpolar Arctic cooperation meetings.

Mr. Lassi Heininen, University of Lapland listed a few of the Standing Committee’s achievements over the past 25 years:

• The establishment of the Arctic Council;
• The creation of the University of the Arctic;
• The launch of the Arctic Economic Council;
• The publications of Arctic Human Development Reports by the Arctic Council acting on recommendations of the Standing Committee; and
• The establishment of a permanent Secretariat of the Arctic Council in Tromso, Norway.

E. ADOPTION OF THE CONFERENCE STATEMENT   

After three meetings, the Drafting Committee[24] unanimously adopted the 2018 Conference Statement. The final draft was then presented to all delegates and adopted without further amendments by the Conference on 19 September 2018.[25] Reflecting on discussions during this CPAR, Mr. Eirik Sivertsen, Chair of CPAR and the Standing Committee, explained that, in his view, the three mega trends that will shape the Arctic Region in the coming years would be: climate change, urbanization, and digitalization.

F. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE   

Mr. Eirik Sivertsen and Hon. Larry Bagnell were re-elected for another 2-year mandate as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee. Mr. Sergei Kotkin, Member of Parliament from Russia, proposed the Standing Committee to create a second Vice-Chair position and that there should be gender parity among the vice-chairs. As the Standing Committee’s rules and procedures will need to be modified to accommodate a second vice-chair position, the committee decided to put the issue on the agenda for the next meeting.

G. FUTURE MEETINGS    

The next meeting of the Standing Committee is scheduled for late January/early February 2019 in Naryan-Mar, Russia. The 14^th CPAR will be held in Norway in 2020.

Respectfully submitted,

Mr. Scott Simms, President

Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association