Related Issue 2: To What Extent Should National Interest Be Pursued? & Foreign Policy

What Is National Interest? National interests are the interests of the peoples of a nation which benefit themselves and their communities. For example: Economic Prosperity Employment and standard of living Pass laws, make trade treaties Security Protecting citizens inside the country, passing laws Securing national borders Resolve differences with other countries Beliefs and Values Affirming and promoting its citizens cultures and beliefs Ensuring a standard of quality of life for its citizens Concern for our land, environment, and ecosystems

What is National Interest? Our National Interests do not remain the same over time Events both within a country, and outside of a country continually shape and influence a nation’s national interest What sorts of issues can change a nation’s national interest?

Different Views of National Interest People can certainly disagree over what is in the nation’s interest Where do we see this as being most evident?

An Example: Arctic Sovereignty It is traditionally held that Canada’s role in the world is that of peacekeepers Many people feel that this is in our national interest There are challenges beginning to form to this point of view

The Russians Are Coming!! Dateline – June 6, 2015: The Russians have just invaded the Canadian Arctic waters and have claimed the land as part of ‘Mother Russia’! The bold move was conducted under the guise of scientific research of the Arctic seabed, but was swiftly transformed into a military action as Russian subs were secretly deployed along with scientific vessels. The move has been internationally criticised and threat of military force has been made on the part of the UN Security Council, but the Russians have the capacity to veto that action. The invasion, thought to have been the brainchild of Vladimir Putin, was undertaken in an attempt to secure vital natural resources for the sustainability of Russia’s economy. The covert operation was successful as there has been much confusion over the sovereignty of Arctic waters as international boundaries have been difficult to ascertain.

The Russians Are Coming!! What would we do as a nation if this event actually happened? Could it happen? What steps could Canada and the world take to avoid such a scenario?

What IS Happening in the Arctic? Russia Plants Flag Staking Claim to Arctic Region Friday, August 3, 2007 | 09:14 AM ET A mini-submarine dropped a titanium capsule containing a Russian flag on the ocean floor at the North Pole Thursday, in a symbolic claim of the polar region's oil and minerals. If recognized, the claim would give Russia control of almost half of the Arctic seabed, an area as large as the Prairie provinces that could be abundant in natural resources such as oil and gas. The region is currently divided among Canada, the United States, Norway, Russia and Denmark. Russia is claiming a larger area, saying that the Arctic seabed and Siberia are linked by the same continental shelf. The UN rejected the claim, citing lack of evidence, but the country is set to resubmit the application in 2009. Canada, meanwhile, plans to spend $7.5 billion to build and operate up to eight Arctic patrol ships in a bid to help protect its sovereignty. Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said planting a flag will not change the claim to the region.

The Arctic Question Examine the picture on pg. 119 Who should get control of the Arctic area within the dotted red lines? Why? The Russians have planted a flag at the base of the Arctic Ocean and claimed the potential natural resources that may lie beneath the sea floor. Are they entitled to do this? Why or why not?

The Arctic Question UN Law of the Sea The Lomonosov Ridge Sovereign countries have rights over 22.2 km of sea beyond their coastline Control of the resources under the sea for 370 km The Lomonosov Ridge 1800 km long The Russians claim this is an extension of their continental shelf and this gives them rights to part of the Arctic Circle

The Arctic Question The Canadian Arctic is being threatened by several new developments in this region that previously did not exist READ – pg 121 viewpoints

The Arctic Question The picture to the right shows the state of the Arctic ice cap from an article on abcnews.com this morning What has changed?

The Arctic Question 1979 2007

The Nay-Sayers

The Nay-Sayers

Stats 2003 Stats: Accordion-style shrinking and expansion of the Arctic ice caps: 20 – 8 million km2 Status from start of records to 2000 Significant decreases noticed after 2000 Prediction – 2040 ice free Arctic 2009 Stats: Climate change occurring faster than anticipated 2005 Ice cap – 4 million km2 prediction… Ice free Arctic by 2012-14 What will this mean?

Stats Summer 2013 On September 13, 2013, Arctic sea ice reached a minimum extent of 5.10 million square kilometers. A hole in the ice cover was observed near the North Pole. Fall 2015 Arctic sea ice extent for October 2015 averaged 7.72 million square kilometers the sixth lowest October in the satellite record

The Arctic Question Importance of the Arctic 1.) The Northwest Passage Affected by climate change? Route that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans Could be year-round navigation Claimed by Canada, disputed by others 2.) Resources Huge oil, natural gas, gold, tin, and diamond deposits potentially underneath the sea bed

Understanding the Issue Watch Video

The Arctic Question What are Canada’s national interests in this matter? Would people have different views on this issue? What should we be concerned about as a nation?

Examples Arctic National Interests Increasing Canada’s military presence in the region Bases Patrols and surveillance Land Claims of Aboriginal groups Natural Resource Development International Transport Environmental Protection

Canada’s National Interest In your opinion, what is the greatest issue surrounding the idea of Arctic sovereignty? What course of action would you like to see Canada take with the issue of Arctic sovereignty? If Canada pursues more aggressive policies to protect or establish Arctic sovereignty, are we contradicting our traditional national interest of peacekeeping? Why or why not?