The battle for sovereignty over Canada’s Arctic is heating up, with China now in the mix alongside other contenders. Almost twenty years ago, Canada recognized the need to strengthen its defense capabilities in the Arctic, but grand plans have not come to fruition. Russia and the United States have also been vying for control in the region.
Today, with the potential for Arctic resources to become more exploitable due to global warming, claims to the Arctic are increasing. Russia has a dominant presence with a large fleet of icebreakers, while China has emerged as a strong competitor with its own fleet and claims to Arctic resources.
In contrast, Canada has limited resources in the Arctic, with only two aging icebreakers and minimal progress on new ones. Past initiatives have been hindered by funding constraints, as highlighted in a recent report by Canada’s Auditor General.
The Inuit people have also become significant players in the Arctic sovereignty debate, potentially seeking sovereignty with backing from China and the U.N. This could pose a challenge to Canada’s control over its Arctic territories, especially considering the uncertain stance of the U.S. president.
Overall, the concept of sovereignty in the Arctic remains contested, with Canada relying on legal frameworks like UNCLOS to bolster its claim. However, the increasing activity and competition in the region suggest that the battle for Arctic sovereignty is far from over. The United States is not a signatory to UNCLOS; however, Russia, a party to the agreement, is contemplating leaving UNCLOS, while China, also a member, openly disregards UNCLOS decisions it disagrees with. Throughout history, sovereignty has often been determined by the principle of “might makes right.” In light of Russia, China, the U.S., and the Inuit all vying for control over Arctic resources, a future conflict seems inevitable. Canada must increase its efforts in the region, as emphasized by Harper in 2008: “To protect the North, we must control the North.” Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not necessarily align with The Epoch Times’ views.
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