Ottawa – Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly, at the launch of Arctic Foreign Policy said:
Good morning, everyone. Thank you very much for joining us here.
I would like to acknowledge the presence of my dear colleagues Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Rob Oliphant, my Parliamentary Secretary, MP Brendan Hanley and MP Michael McLeod.
I would like also to thank for their presence and their active contributions to this policy:
- Premier Simpson
- Premier Pillai
- Premier Akeeagok
- President Obed
- Chief Adamek
- President Koperqualuk
- President Lampe
- National Chief Mackenzie
- Chief April Martel and
- Paul Irngaut
Canada is an Arctic nation.
Because of our geography, of course, but also, and above all, because Northerners have been taking care of it for generations.
For all these years, we have shared the management of the Arctic and northern regions with Indigenous Peoples.
And together, alongside the other Arctic states, we have kept the peace.
However, guardrails that prevent conflicts are increasingly under immense strain.
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led us all to ask: Who is next?
It is clear that Russia has no red lines.
Its designs on the Arctic and its resources are well known.
They are, after all, our neighbour, and we have to take that into account.
But what is new is that Russia is increasingly dependent on China because of its war in Ukraine.
It is reversing its historic posture by opening its Arctic to China.
And this is fulfilling the long-time aim of China, which has declared itself a “near-Arctic state.”
Russia’s military is more aggressive in its incursions into the Arctic, and now China has begun to launch joint operations with Russia.
We’re also seeing more ships in the Arctic.
They are not only doing scientific research.
All that is happening while Arctic sea ice is melting. Shorter maritime routes between the Indo-Pacific and Europe are opening.
Competitors are seeing new opportunities to exploit natural resources in the Arctic.
What is happening in the Indo-Pacific and in Europe is becoming, more than ever, connected.
The Inuit, First Nations and other Northern communities have been warning us about the changing landscape in the North for some time, not just the physical changes caused by a rapidly warming climate, but also changes to the geopolitical landscape.
Foreign state actors are increasing their activity in the North, and not just on the land and sea.
We see disinformation and propaganda to undermine our democratic institutions and divide Canadians.
We see the targeting of diaspora communities and dissidents, cyber attacks and espionage.
I can firmly tell you that this is not a problem unique to the Southern part of Canada.
There are Northern communities who tell us about being approached by state actors looking to buy land and exert influence in these remote communities.
Canada is an Arctic nation, and we are at a critical moment.
The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region.
We live in a tough world, and we need to be tougher in our response.
Decisions made today will shape our future.
That is why I am pleased to launch Canada’s new Arctic Foreign Policy.
Our Arctic Foreign Policy has 4 key pillars:
1. First and foremost, we will continue to assert Canada’s sovereignty.
Including over the Northwest Passage.
Diplomacy and defence go hand in hand.
There’s a reason why our new defence policy update is called “Our North, Strong and Free.” Minister Blair will talk to you about it.
But what I can tell you is that Canada is bolstering our military presence:
(1) to protect our Arctic
(2) [for] our continental security alongside the U.S. and
(3) to increase our collaboration with our Arctic allies and NATO
We are making key strategic purchases to enhance our military capacity in the region.
This new Arctic policy will contribute to putting our new assets to good use.
Our defence objectives are also met by new international partnerships.
At the last Washington NATO summit, Canada announced the ICE Pact along with the United States and Finland.
Together we will ensure we have the icebreakers needed to patrol Northern waters.
Through this partnership, Canada is positioning itself to lead the world in the production of icebreakers.
This will help our allies in the Artic region. It will create good, well-paying jobs at home.
And let us be very frank here: we have a lot of catching up to do when you see the number of icebreakers Russia is producing.
Under this pillar, we will also share intelligence with Indigenous communities and territorial premiers so they can fully participate in decisions involving their safety and security.
2. The second pillar is advancing Canada’s interests through pragmatic diplomacy.
Rising geopolitical competition means we need more eyes and ears in the North.
We need even stronger ties with our Arctic allies: the United States and the Nordic countries.
The Arctic will be key in our engagement with the U.S.
The U.S. is our closest partner, and will continue to be as we invest in Arctic security with this new policy as its foundation.
We will also work closer with our like-minded non-Arctic states, especially in the North Atlantic and the North Pacific.
Moreover, with Alaska in the west and Greenland in the east, we will open new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk to be there where it counts.
3. The third pillar deals with our leadership on Arctic governance and multilateral challenges.
Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, we have had to hold Russia to account.
From that moment on, it was no longer possible to meet as if nothing had happened, whether in the Arctic Council or in any other diplomatic forum.
Despite the lack of political engagement with Russia, the Arctic Council continues its important work as the main forum for Arctic affairs.
The council’s Indigenous Permanent Participants play a key role in ensuring that this work continues.
They are in regular contact with other populations in the Arctic.
That is why we have heard loud and clear about the importance of keeping the Arctic Council active.
Of the 8 Arctic countries, 7 are now members of NATO. Article 5 of NATO, therefore, protects us all.
Canada is proud to have been the first country to ratify the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO.
Last September, I welcomed the foreign ministers and representatives of the 5 Nordic countries to Iqaluit for the first time.
We are talking here about Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
We discussed our common security concerns, and this type of dialogue has definitely contributed to the development of this new policy.
I invited them back, along with the United States, for a meeting earlier this week, when we were in Brussels, within the framework of NATO.
And this is just the beginning: all 7 of us will continue this dialogue on Arctic security issues.
4. Our fourth pillar is focused on people and ensuring we have the right voices around the table.
Canada will now have an Arctic ambassador.
We will also find new ways to enhance representation of Indigenous people on the world stage and advance their priorities with international counterparts.
Over the last few months, I’ve had the chance to talk on several occasions with people from the North and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples.
We’ve talked a lot about the security issues they face on a daily basis.
It goes without saying that those living in the North are best placed to know what’s going on in the North.
They told me about the very real effects of climate change, such as the destructive wildfires that have forced them to leave their homes.
We all remember summer of 2023 in Yellowknife.
I also heard them rightly remind me: “Nothing about us without us.”
All these conversations have contributed to the policy we are presenting today.
It responds to these concerns. It builds on their observations.
We wanted to put the people of the North at the heart of our action.
After all, they are a central part of what makes us an Arctic nation.
Collectively, these 4 pillars represent a fundamental change in the way we look at the Arctic.
Because we cannot no longer only depend on our geography to protect us.
Until now, we tended to consider the Arctic from a North-South perspective.
We’re changing our approach to also look at it from other angles.
When it comes to protecting and working with the Inuit and all people in the Arctic, we must deepen North-to-North relationships.
In terms of strengthening our diplomacy and protecting our continent, it means looking at the Arctic as the connection between East and West.
From NATO territory and our allies on the Atlantic, through NORAD and to our security partners in the Pacific, this means working as a team to support Inuit communities and their aspirations.
It means working with the territories and key Arctic allies.
Today’s new Arctic Foreign Policy represents a shift in how we see Canada’s role in a region that is becoming more and more strategic as geopolitical tensions deepen.
It was carefully designed with people living it.
We now need to put it in action.
Our geography is our destiny: let’s meet the challenge.
Thank you.