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2020 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

Arctic Geopolitics and Security from the Canadian Perspective

Author : Adam Lajeunesse

Published in: Handbook on Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

The Canadian Arctic is in transition. As climate change reduces the thickness and extent of the region’s sea-ice, newly open waters are facilitating shipping and development along the Northwest Passage. With this new activity comes new political and security challenges and the reemergence of decades old questions of sovereignty and jurisdiction. In this chapter, Lajeunesse offers an overview of the present state and evolution of Canada’s defence, security, and circumpolar policies and objectives in the Arctic.

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previous chapter No UNCLOS, No Icebreakers, No Clue? U.S. Arctic Policy Through the Eyes of Congress

next chapter Norway’s High North Geopolitics: Continuities and Changes Through Three Decades

For the best analysis of Arctic policy in the Harper era see: Lackenbauer and Dean (2016).

Canada, (2019). See also: Lackenbauer (2017).

For a more comprehensive analysis see: Lajeunesse and Lackenbauer (2016).

Statement by Gaillard 2001

The catalyst was the voyage of the Manhattan through the Northwest Passage. For more see: Kirton and Munton (1987).

This regulatory power is largely tied to Article 234 of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea. For more see: McRae and Goundrey (1982).

For a complete history of the maritime dispute see: Lajeunesse (2016) and Elliot-Meisel (1998).

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Mary River export figures taken from a Baffinland employee’s public presentation in 2018.

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For a complete list of OP Nanook scenarios see: DND, “Operation Nanook,” www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/operations/military-operations/current-operations/operation-nanook.html.

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Title: Arctic Geopolitics and Security from the Canadian Perspective
Author: Adam Lajeunesse
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: Handbook on Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-45004-5

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-45005-2

Copyright Year: 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45005-2_3

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