The Northern Strategy
Background
Canada, with is reservoirs of freshwater, vast forests, great expanses of ice and more, is easily vulnerable to climate fluctuations.
Warming at the poles caused by greenhouse gases has been leading to consider melting in the Arctic. Due the fact a large portion of Canada is in the Arctic, the melting has been threatening wildlife and Inuit culture.
Impact
Though the impacts from the actions of the Northern Strategy aren't that noticeable, particularly to us in the far south, they are certainly there.
The north a big part of Canada, so driving up the economy is key. Resources such as natural gas, uranium, and copper have been partially mapped out so companies and governments can make use of them. Some actions by the government have dropped barriers for businesses, promoting Arctic development and investing. Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area exists and Nahanni National Park Reserve is the size it is now to protext wildlife in the area from climate change. Sadly however, the Northern Strategy fails to touch on any specific points of climate change, such as carbon emissions.
Canada will continue to work to develop and improve the Arctic for people in the Arctic and for all Canadians... and hopefully to stop climate change as well.
Actions
As one would expect, the actions made for the Northern Strategy and based around its 4 pillar I mentioned above. Canada has been studyin and mapping the Arctic, patrolling the area, promoting environmental conservation and industry development, and been talking to different governments regarding the Arctic.
Specific actions undertaken include using millions of dollars to fund surveys for natural resources, studies of the environment, supporting local governments, and expanding conservation areas. Canada, with a major role in the Arctic Council has signed several documents about the Arctic. In 2011, Canada and the other seven Arctic states signed an "Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic"... the first-ever legally binding agreement developed under the Arctic Council. Harper had big dreams about the Arctic becoming Canadian domain.
However, the Northern Strategy was developed by the Conservative government and with the Liberals now in power, it is unknown what they will do with it. It has been said that the government will work to revise and update the strategy as needed. Finally, in 2016, Canada had adopted the Paris Agreement to go along with its plans.
History
Due to the threats to the Arctic, the 3 territorial governments presented "A Northern Vision: A Stronger North and a Better Canada" in 2007. The report presented by the territories focuses on sovereignty, circumpolar relations, and climate change in their vision.
In 2009, the Canadian government released something to address the Arctic issues, called "Canada's Northern Strategy: Our North, Our Heritage, Our Future." This plan had 4 main pillars supporting it: exercising Arctic sovereignty, protecting environmental heritage, promoting social and economic development, and improving Northern governance.
The Northern Strategy is one of the ways Canada has responded to the unavoidable climate crisis. Let's take a look at it.
