Protecting Canada’s Arctic

April 18, 2008

Canada’s Arctic is central to our national identity as a northern nation. It is part of our history. And it represents the tremendous potential of our future.

Today, with other countries trying to stake increasingly aggressive claims over Canada’s Arctic seabed, it is more important than ever that Canadians send a clear message that our Arctic islands and waterways belong to Canada alone.

Yesterday, Natural Resource Minister Gary Lunn visited a dedicated team of Arctic Scientists in 600 km of Canada’s most northern community, Grise Fjord, Nunavut. These Canadian scientists are successfully building the case for Canada to assert its sovereignty over portions of the Polar Continental Shelf.

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper said "Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty over the Arctic. We either use it or lose it."

For Thirteen years previous Liberal Governments seemed content to “lose it” as they systematically failed to protect Canada’s Northern sovereignty or environment.

Today, the Conservative Government is making up for 13 years of Liberal inaction and neglect with a real commitment to Canada’s Arctic and Northern communities.

The Conservative Government is placing up to eight Canadian made Polar Class 5 Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships in the Arctic. Thanks to aerial surveillance and new RADARSAT 2 technology, it is easier than ever for Canadians to monitor our Arctic waterways and environment. The Conservative Government has also expanded the size and capabilities of the Arctic Rangers to improve enforcement and monitoring on the ground.

With real investments in science, surveillance, enforcement and security the Conservative Government is sending a clear message around the world, that Canada’s northern sovereignty is not up for debate.

When it comes to our country’s sovereignty, Canadians have a clear choice. Neglect, petty politics, and weak leadership from Stéphane Dion and the Liberals, or real leadership and real results from Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Government.