Ottawa, 14 May, 2009 – A dramatically changing northern climate has raised important concerns about maintaining Canada’s sovereignty in the far North.  One view suggests that, ‘we must use the North or lose it,’ and recommends Canada’s northern presence be strengthened.

With that phrase in mind, the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources travelled to the Western Arctic in June 2008. The committee wanted to understand what climate change, resource development and the new focus on sovereignty means for the North. The final report entitled “With Respect, Canada’s North” released yesterday, details the committee’s view of partnership opportunities between the federal government and northerners to meet the coming challenges.

While the committee understands the need to assert and maintain our sovereignty, the fact remains that Canada’s North is a homeland for 101,300 people who live there. The future of the North needs to be built by northern Canadians themselves. “We have a role in encouraging decision makers to consider the needs of the North,” said committee chair, Senator W. David Angus. “The twin challenges of climate change and northern sovereignty deserve our full attention.”

The Senators saw firsthand the impacts of climate change while traveling in the North. They visited communities that are trying to adapt to an unpredictable environment and heard calls for research focused on the North to further the understanding of climate change.  Senator Grant Mitchell said, “What was impressed upon me, from speaking with many northerners and from seeing the effects of climate change, is the urgency of it all. You can see the melting permafrost and the eroding shorelines, and witness the enormous impact this has on infrastructure and the lives of northerners.”

The committee also heard that development in the North continues to be shaped by its abundant natural resources.  Many people spoke of the promise of resource development, as long as projects were pursued in the interests of northerners and in ways that protected unique environments and cultures. To ensure this, there is a need to facilitate governance and regulatory arrangements that are both appropriate to northern realities and supportive of economic development.

Senators Tommy Banks, the then chair of the committee, Bert Brown, Elaine McCoy, Lorna Milne, Grant Mitchell and Nick G. Sibbeston were the committee members who traveled to the Western Arctic. While there, they met with community leaders, governments and many organizations. Nine recommendations were developed based on what the committee heard and experienced during their trip. The committee felt that these represent the most important actions the federal government can take to support northerners. It is time to work together and act now.

Members of the committee will be available to answer questions from the media during a press conference to be held Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. E.T., at the National Press Theatre, 150 Wellington Street, Ottawa. Journalists may also participate in the press conference by teleconference:
North America: 1-888-265-0464
International/Local: (613) 954-4096
Participants must quote Conference Identification Number: 98855140

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Recommendation 1

The federal government should increase and sustain its funding of research in the North and in doing so, place greater emphasis on monitoring and data collection that will help track long term trends in climate change. In particular, multi-year funding for the N.W.T. Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (CIMP) should be granted immediately.

• Recommendation 2

While continuing to fund initiatives to address the impacts of climate change in the North, the federal government should increase its funding of measures municipalities and territorial governments require to adapt to climate change. For example, it is necessary to address the problem of replacing ice roads with permanent all-weather roads and to address sinking buildings and eroding shorelines.

• Recommendation 3

The federal government must address the urgent need for research and development of solutions for melting permafrost.

• Recommendation 4

The federal government is urged to provide immediate additional funding for an all-weather road from the gravel pit known as “Source 177” to Tuktoyuktuk to ensure the completion of this transportation lifeline.

• Recommendation 5

The federal government should ensure that the design of the Arctic Research Institute promised in the 2007 budget speech is centred around the concept of a northern network of researchers in various locations across the North, rather than bureaucracies placed in one or two locations. The name Arctic Research Network should replace the name Arctic Research Institute to ensure that the network concept thrives.

• Recommendation 6

Given the lengthy time it is taking to conclude the studies of the Joint Review Panel and the National Energy Board, the federal government should take every measure possible to make quick decisions concerning the future of the Mackenzie Valley Project when those reports are finished.

• Recommendation 7

In making plans to allocate resources for strengthening Canada’s sovereignty claims in the North, the federal government should recognize that its support for the people of Canada’s North who face the difficult challenges associated with living in the North will be the most important component of Canada’s arguments in any international forum.

• Recommendation 8

The federal government is urged to resolve a resource sharing agreement with the N.W.T. in a way that will dedicate resource revenues to enhanced education, housing and health standards for permanent residents of the North.

• Recommendation 9

In dealing with the territorial and Aboriginal governments, the federal government should ensure that it places a high priority on local decision making, honouring existing collaborative frameworks and encouraging full local participation to help assure outcomes that work for northerners.

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