boilingspot: Geopolitics of the far north

Canada's 'blueprint' aims to safeguard sovereignty, protect the environment, promote economic growth

BRUCE CAMPION-SMITH, OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF | thestar.com | Aug 09, 2009 04:30 AM

The Canadian icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent sails past an iceberg in Lancaster Sound in the Canadian Arctic. JONATHAN HAYWARD/THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO

OTTAWA–Canada's North – isolated, windswept and a well-worn political soapbox.

From John Diefenbaker, who won power thanks in part to a "Northern Vision," to Joe Clark, Paul Martin and now Stephen Harper, prime ministers have painted themselves as ardent defenders of the North, often travelling there to deliver the message.

But with melting ice opening up new northern transportation routes and other nations such as Russia, Norway and Denmark staking their claims, rarely have the stakes been so high for Ottawa's Arctic agenda.

"Polar ice is retreating and activity is increasing. More people are coming to the region or transiting through our airspace or internal waterways. This of course poses more challenges," Defence Minister Peter MacKay said.

"Our government recognizes the need to respond now by making the Arctic a priority. Nothing is more fundamental to protecting Canada's security and sovereignty. A big part of that effort of course includes protecting our northern boundaries," he said.

In the face of a Russia paratroop drop over the North Pole – scheduled for next spring – and ongoing diplomatic tussles over the Northwest Passage, the continental shelf and a rump of rock known as Hans Island, Canada is stepping up its activity in the region.

The most prominent measure is the annual sovereignty exercise led by the Canadian military that continues until Aug. 28.

But Ottawa recently released its northern strategy, which wrapped together various initiatives. MacKay called it the "blueprint" for safeguarding of northern sovereignty, protection of the environment and promotion of economic development.

And on Aug. 17, Harper himself heads north for a week-long Arctic tour that will take him to all three territories as well as the frontlines of the military exercise.

"The Arctic clearly needs increasing attention. We will be using it. We will not be losing," MacKay said on Friday during a stop in Halifax to announce the launch of the military exercise.

"It's part of our country, an important part of our country and our presence there is going to continue to expand," he said.

CANADA

Coast Guard ships and land forces will participate in Operation Nanook throughout most of August. The exercise involves patrolling the waterways, conducting an amphibious landing and testing emergency response systems. Ottawa has also embarked on an aggressive public relations campaign to assert its northern interests and Prime Minister Stephen Harper is taking much of his cabinet with him when he visits the region this month.

DENMARK

Denmark's latest defence budget acknowledges that increasing activity in the Arctic region will result in greater challenges for its military. Denmark plans to create an Arctic command to co-ordinate military activity in the area, which would include the use of aircraft to assert sovereignty. At right, the Danish flag is raised on Hans Island in 2002.

RUSSIA

Next April, Russia plans to drop paratroopers at the North Pole. In mid-July, two Russian submarines surfaced through ice near the North Pole and fired long-range missiles in a NORAD-monitored test. Reportedly, the Northern Fleet accounts for two-thirds of Russia's navy. The Kremlin has stepped up patrol flights over the Arctic by giant Bear bombers and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said the Arctic must serve as Russia's resource base in coming years. Russia also recently countered U.S. war exercises in Alaska with submarine drills under the Arctic ice cap. Russian officials have said the region around the North Pole is an ideal site for the launch of ballistic missiles because it allows submarines to arrive in the launch area undetected and shortens missile flight time to target. Below, Russian warplanes manoeuvre in the Arctic.

SWEDEN

In June, Sweden held its largest northern military exercise since the end of World War II. About 12,000 troops, 50 aircraft and several warships were involved in a NATO operation. The Swedes have also raised the possibility of forming a northern security alliance with Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Norway. At right, a Swedish air force Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter.

NORWAY

Last year, Norway purchased 48 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets (like the one at left) partly because of their suitability for Arctic patrols. Last March, Norway participated in a major NATO Arctic military practice involving 7,000 soldiers from 13 countries in which a fictional country called Northland seized offshore oilrigs. The exercise prompted a protest from Russia. In June, Norway moved its military command to the north of the country.

UNITED STATES

Last August, the Coast Guard's top official spoke of a planned shift from "scientific research" to "security" and "sovereignty" in the area. In January of this year, the White House released a new Arctic policy, the first since 1994, which places a premium on American security interests in the area. The Pentagon also recently held its Northern Edge war games in Alaska, involving more than 9,000 troops, warships and warplanes in simulated air combat, flying beyond the speed of sound, which is prohibited in the U.S. mainland. Washington has embarked on a joint exercise with Ottawa, mapping the continental shelf, but the co-operation may be illusory because the nations are expected to eventually collide with conflicting claims. Above, A U.S. Coast Guard C-130 patrols the Alaskan coast near Barrow.