News | With Respect, Canada's North

Ottawa, 14 May, 2009 – A dramatically changing northern climate has raised important concerns about maintaining Canada’s sovereignty in the far North.  One view suggests that, ‘we must use the North or lose it,’ and recommends Canada’s northern presence be strengthened. 

With that phrase in mind, the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources travelled to the Western Arctic in June 2008. The committee wanted to understand what climate change, resource development and the new focus on sovereignty means for the North. The final report entitled “With Respect, Canada’s North” released yesterday, details the committee’s view of partnership opportunities between the federal government and northerners to meet the coming challenges.

While the committee understands the need to assert and maintain our sovereignty, the fact remains that Canada’s North is a homeland for 101,300 people who live there. The future of the North needs to be built by northern Canadians themselves. “We have a role in encouraging decision makers to consider the needs of the North,” said committee chair, Senator W. David Angus. “The twin challenges of climate change and northern sovereignty deserve our full attention.”

The Senators saw firsthand the impacts of climate change while traveling in the North. They visited communities that are trying to adapt to an unpredictable environment and heard calls for research focused on the North to further the understanding of climate change.  Senator Grant Mitchell said, “What was impressed upon me, from speaking with many northerners and from seeing the effects of climate change, is the urgency of it all. You can see the melting permafrost and the eroding shorelines, and witness the enormous impact this has on infrastructure and the lives of northerners.” 

The committee also heard that development in the North continues to be shaped by its abundant natural resources.  Many people spoke of the promise of resource development, as long as projects were pursued in the interests of northerners and in ways that protected unique environments and cultures. To ensure this, there is a need to facilitate governance and regulatory arrangements that are both appropriate to northern realities and supportive of economic development.

Senators Tommy Banks, the then chair of the committee, Bert Brown, Elaine McCoy, Lorna Milne, Grant Mitchell and Nick G. Sibbeston were the committee members who traveled to the Western Arctic. While there, they met with community leaders, governments and many organizations. Nine recommendations were developed based on what the committee heard and experienced during their trip. The committee felt that these represent the most important actions the federal government can take to support northerners. It is time to work together and act now.