NATIONAL INTEREST & TERRITORY

National interest often involves claiming

sovereignty over territory.
In the Arctic, 5 countries claim sovereignty over
the islands and claim rights to the seabed.
Canada
United States
Denmark
Norway
Russia
RUSSIAS CLAIM
August 2007, Russia claimed part of the
1800km Lomonosov Ridge, which runs
under the Arctic Ocean.
The Russian government claims that the
ridge is part of its continental shelf.
Russian scientists mapped part of the ridge,
collected soil samples & plant a flag on the
seabed at the North Pole.
Planting the flag made a symbolic claim to
the natural resources that may be buried
there.
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE
SEA
According to the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea,
countries have sovereignty over 22.2kms
of sea beyond their coastline.
Countries also control the resources in
and under the sea for 370kms from their
coast
Proving that the seabed is part of its
continental shelf increases the area a
country can claim to control
WHY IS CLAIMING SOVEREIGNTY IN THE ARCTIC SO
IMPORTANT?
1. Climate Change
Arctic ice is melting and may open the
Northwest Passage to navigation all year
2. Discovery of Resources
Rich oil, natural gas, gold, tin & diamond
deposits in the Arctic seabed
The US Geographical Survey suggests the
25% of the worlds undiscovered oil & gas
resources may lie in the Arctic
CANADAS NATIONAL IN THE ARCTIC
In August 2007, Prime Minister Stephan Harper
announced Canada would protect the
sovereignty of its Arctic territory by:
Sending new patrol ships to the Arctic
Increasing aerial surveillance in the region
Expanding the Canadian Ranger program
Building a Canadian Forces Arctic Training Centre in
Resolute Bay, Nunavut
Establishing a deep water docking and refueling port
at Nanisivik, Nunavut
CANADAS CULTURAL & SECURITY
ASPECTS OF NATIONAL INTEREST
Harper said Canadians feel a sense of
romantic patriotism about the Arctic
region.
Its embedded in our history, literature, our
art, our music- our Canadian soul, said
Harper
Others argue the Arctic is the Inuit
homeland and it is linked to their economy,
prosperity and culture
WHAT CANADIANS THINK ABOUT ARCTIC
SOVEREIGNTY
Should Canadians invest
heavily in securing
sovereignty over Arctic
territory?
Agree
Disagree
Not sure
Should Canada plant a flag
on the Arctic seabed?
Agree
Disagree
Not sure
Russia represents a bigger
threat than the US to Canada
in matters related to Arctic
sovereignty
Agree
Disagree
Not sure
I have confidence in the
Harper government to
secure Canada's Arctic
sovereignty
Agree
Disagree
Not sure