The Northern Agenda
Federal government documents obtained by Sun Media detail a proposed four-pronged "framework for action" that boosts environmental protection, builds a legal case on territorial boundaries and gives Northerners more control over their economic and political destiny.
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As other polar countries line up to stake territorial claim to the resource-rich region, the report warns that diplomatic persuasion and solid scientific backing are also required to work out jurisdictional spats.
It’s nice to see that the Feds are at least aware of the fact that just sending up a few patrol boats and “showing the flag” won’t be enough to ensure that Canada’s claims to the Arctic region will be respected.
Of course, I’m not particularly confident that anything will come of this, partly due to the fact that the “major reference” is to take place during the Throne Speech which appears designed to kick off an election campaign. In other words, more campaign promises, which always seem to work out into something far less than originally promised.
This little nugget doesn’t encourage me much either:
The report builds on a May discussion of the Harper cabinet's powerful priorities and planning group, and lists two sets of options to advance the "Northern Agenda."
The first would consolidate and implement initiatives in stages, while the second approach contains "signature federal initiatives," including unspecified "symbolic demonstrations of Canada's sovereignty."
Given that so far on the “Northern Agenda”, what the Harper government has done is make grandiose announcements of “signature federal initiatives” , and make a few “symbolic demonstrations of Canada’s sovereignty”, I expect the second approach will be the one they go with. In the meantime, substantive demonstrations of Canada’s sovereignty will continue to fall by the wayside.
