Uh-Oh Canada

In a world dominated by skirmishes and outright war over lines on a map thousands of miles away from home, you might be forgiven for forgetting about our own brewing conflict over similar lines being drawn by the likes of United States, Russia, and, *gulp* Canada?

Among the circumpolar nations puffing their chests out is Canada, who inarguably has the most to lose as countries decide among themselves how best to carve up the top of this little blue marble we call home. But isn’t the extreme tundra right on up to the tip of the Earth Canada’s sovereign territory?

Let’s face it. Until recently, no country really cared about the Arctic. It was too vast, too cold, too empty. All were pleased as punch to have Canada be the caretaker of the giant ice cube. That is, until large commercial deposits of resources were determined to be there and the requisite technology to exploit it developed. Now, every country and their corporate puppeteers have their eyes firmly affixed to our North and have every desire to be the landlord.

There is another event that quietly sailed its way under our noses recently that is perhaps at least equally tantalizing to corporations worldwide. With global warming, the Arctic Ocean is warming and chief among the results of this phenomenon is that seafaring lanes are now accessible year round.

Want proof?

On Thursday, December 06th, 2012, the Ob River, a tanker chartered by Russia’s GazProm carrying some 134,000 cubic metres of LNG (liquefied natural gas) completed the 6000 kilometre voyage from Norway to Japan using the Northern Sea Route, also known as the Northeast Passage. In so doing, the Ob River chopped 20 days from the normal schedule of shipping via Suez Canal or Panama Canal, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs. Those kind of profits and efficiencies are worth further exploitation, no matter what your political leanings.

It is the first time a winter voyage of this type has occurred on the Northeast Passage, although in 2009, two bulk cargo ships made successful summer voyages from South Korea to the Netherlands using this route.

What does this mean for Canada?

It means the Northwest Passage is next for further exploitation. It means increased shipping in fragile ecosystems. It means greater challenges on the sovereignty of our most northern reaches. It means our military and Coast Guard have their work cut out for them, using sparse resources to patrol the harshest, most unforgiving terrain in our land. It means our envied international reputation as diplomats and peacekeepers may have to take a back seat as we appropriately posture and act to defend our country against commercial and military advancement.