Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced on December 6, 2024, the launch of a Canadian foreign policy for the Arctic (PECA). This policy follows several months of consultations with territorial and provincial governments as well as organizations representing the Metis, First Nations and Inuit.
For Nathan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, security and prosperity are common priorities for the Inuit and Canada while Inuit Nunangat (the homeland of the Inuit of Canada) represents 40% of the country’s surface area and the its entire Arctic coastline.
Autonomy and sovereignty of indigenous peoples are the cornerstones of PECA according to Bill Erasmus, international president of the Arctic Athabascan Council. This Council represents approximately 45,000 people who live in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska.
The Arctic is a strategic region for which Canada is positioning itself against Russia, which is taking up more and more space. Over the past ten years, Russia has invested massively in modernizing its Arctic infrastructure and military capabilities. But Russia has also stepped up its disinformation campaigns portraying the West as hostile. This position has, in part, allowed it to justify its own militarization of the Arctic, we can read in the document which details the pillars of this new policy.
Interactions between Western countries and Russia fall into a “gray zone” where competitive interactions between states are not traditional armed conflicts, but go beyond normal peaceful relations.
Although the risks of military attack in the North American Arctic remain low, one of PECA’s top priorities is to deepen Arctic cooperation with Alaska and Greenland (Kingdom of Denmark). Mélanie Joly believes that PECA is a diplomatic response from Canada which positions itself in the Arctic region.
“Evolving security and political dynamics in the Arctic have prompted the need to reorient our diplomatic approach to promote Canada’s national interests in the region, consistent with the principles of pragmatic diplomacy,” said -she declared.
PECA was designed as a diplomatic strategy that provides Canada “with the diplomatic tools it needs to continue to assert its sovereignty, promote its national security interests, and foster the stability, prosperity and security of the Arctic.”
The perspective of the territorial premiers
For RJ Simpson, Premier of the NWT, Arctic sovereignty and security go hand in hand with improving opportunities for people in the North.
“By investing in resilient infrastructure, housing and climate solutions, we can ensure a stable and prosperous future for people living in the North, while strengthening Canada’s leadership and security on the global stage,” he said. -he indicated in a press release.
Finally, Nunavut says it welcomes this new foreign policy:
“The history and geography of our territory place Nunavut in a unique position to play a strategic role in Team Canada’s diplomatic efforts,” said PJ Akeeagok, Premier of Nunavut. He also sees opportunities for economic development and infrastructure in a context of national reconciliation.
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