The political Arctic The Canadian Arctic Canadian interests in the Arctic Security “nothing comes...

The political Arctic

The Canadian Arctic

Canadian interests in the ArcticSecurity “nothing comes before that”

(Harper) SovereigntyNatural resources – oil, gas, diamonds, goldEnvironmental managementSocial issues

Arctic SovereigntyNorthwest passageBeaufort SeaHans IslandContinental shelf claims

Northwest PassageLegal claims

Internal waters by historic title No one exercised possession once claims made Belated claim 1973 Reaction of foreign governments Inability to control navigation (other uses)

Internal waters included within straight baselines

Stronger claims but … right of ‘innocent passage’

Northwest PassageThe NW Passage route cuts about 5 days off

alternative routes between China and Europe/Eastern North America

Oil, gas and other resources would also likely transit through NW Passage to get to eastern US

US and others maintain that the Passage is an international strait allowing for unfettered access

One option for resolving the dispute with the US might be “joint seaway management” – infrastructure and policing

Northwest Passage

Climate Change and the Passage

Climate Change in the Arctichttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Jak1pExql0U

The Economist on Arctic issueshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=VTHsd9wiyio&feature=related

Arctic sea ice

Beaufort Sea claim

400 onshore oil and gas fields have been discovered to date in Canada, Russia and US

US geological Survey estimates 90 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and 1,670 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (about 13% of world’s reserves)

Drilling activity in the Beaufort Sea

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte-text/nog_mp_bsmd_pg_1317059161670_eng.pdf

Continental Shelf Claims

UNCLOS ratified in 2003Canadian government has until 2013 to

present its claim to the UN Commission on the Continental Shelf

This is not about sovereignty but about rights to exploitation of resources and management regimes

Harper’s Arctic Policy

Five icebreakers, 14 long-range helicopters, radar satellite for tracking ships and mapping sea ice

Lack the capacity to operate year round

2009 Northern Strategy

exercising our Arctic Sovereignty promoting social and economic development protecting our environmental heritage improving and devolving northern

governance

Defence Measures I Building six to eight armed Polar Class 5 Arctic Offshore

Patrol Ships(AOPS); The establishment of a multi-purpose Arctic training

centre in Resolute Bay, Nunavut; The creation of a berthing and refuelling facility at the

existing deepwater port of Nanisivik, in Nunavut, to serve as a staging area for naval vessels in the High Arctic and for use by Canadian Coast Guard vessels as well;

The establishment of a permanent army reserve unit based in Yellowknife;

Expanding the size and capabilities of the Canadian Rangers and the Junior Canadian Rangers Program.

Defence Measures II

Plans to enhance the ability of the CF to conduct surveillance through the modernization and replacement of the Aurora patrol aircraft;

The Polar Epsilon Project, which will provide space-based surveillance using information from Canada’s RADARSAT-2 satellite to produce imagery for military commanders during the conduct of operations;

The use of unmanned aerial vehicle technology;

The budget and the ArcticUncertainty around commitment to Arctic

research station, and to other Arctic research projects

support for developing some port facilities, but Nanisivik looks questionable

Arctic offshore patrol ships delayed until 2018; cost increase of $40 million

Trying to multi-task, or in this case identify a clear task

spending cuts at the Canadian Space Agency will result in delays or cancellation of satellites for the Arctic.

Arctic Cooperation I

Arctic Council (1996) institutionalized cooperation on nonmilitary matters among the eight Arctic countries: Russia, the United States (Alaska), Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and Finland

Arctic Cooperation II

Ilulissat Declaration (2008) Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Norway reaffirmed their commitment to working within an existing framework of international law to delimit their respective areas of jurisdiction over the seabed. (UN LOS Treaty)

US-Russia notification agreement

Environment and foreign policy

Environmental issues have gained increased prominence – compare 1972 Stockholm meeting with 1992 Rio conference

Canadian (government and societal) interest and support for environmental issues has been uneven at best

Acid rain, Great Lakes, coastal oil spills, and Arctic have been major concerns

Ozone protection, Montreal protocol of 1987

Rio Earth Summit 1992

172 countries; 108 heads of state

2400+ representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)

Numerous conventions and action plans adopted

Rio Conference and Climate ChangeJune 1992 summit strongly supported by Mulroney

government

Signed and ratified UN Framework Conventions on Climate Change and Biodiversity

Kyoto 1997, 3rd Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the UNFCCC agrees on Kyoto Protocol; Chretien took lead; Canada must cut average annual greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels over the period from 2008-2012; ratified in December 2002

Climate change and Canadian policyKyoto Protocol ratified in 2002 (as Bush

administration was rejecting it)Greenhouse gas emissions increase significantly since

signing on to KyotoMartin government complains about US policy in

2005, but does nothing to change Canadian policyHarper government rhetorically abandons Kyoto in

2006; withdraws officially in December 2011Harper government ties its emissions policy to US

policy at Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun in 2010

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Reporting required by UN conventionPrincipal sources of emissions on energy

related, both production and transportation; waste and agriculture make minor contributions

Significant growth since 1990s fueled by expanding oil, gas and forestry sectors – most designed for export markets

Conference Board of Canada report card

Accounting for Canada’s Climate Change Policy

Economic interests; energy exports; US policy coordinationMultilateralism – declining importance,

influenceFederalism – lack of coordinationReduced influence of environmental lobby;

scientific communityGovernment is leaning heavily to shutting

down dissent

Foster Immigration The Public Policy Framework

Canada’s Immigration Policy “When I speak of

quality, I have in mind something that is quite different from what is in the mind of the average writer or speaker upon the question of immigration. I think of a stalwart peasant in a sheep-skin coat, born on the soil, whose forefathers have been farmers for generations, with a stout wife and half-a-dozen children, is good quality.”

Sir Clifford Sifton, 1922

The data and tables for this section and related information can be found here:

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2010/index.asp)


Establishing categories

1976: New Immigration Act defines the 3 main priorities of immigration policy:. Priority 1: family reunification. Priority 2: humanitarian concerns. Priority 3: promotion of Canada’s economic, social, demographic, and cultural goals

These priorities have varied in emphasis, but still form the core of our immigration policy


Demographic and Labour Concerns

mid 1980s increasing concern over future immigration levels in response to fertility patterns in Canada which had fallen and remain below replacement levels

Early 1990s family class was reduced by limiting range of family members included;

government commits to stable inflows of about 1% of the current population

The switch to long term goals and the desire to increase the numbers of skilled workers continued through the 1990s (the birth of “designer immigration”)

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2002

To streamline several areas of the immigration process, including those for selecting applicants and ruling on refugee claims;

To broaden criteria for selecting immigrants, both to make it easier to bring in skilled workers and to promote the reunification of families; and,

In the wake of September 11, 2001, to implement measures that would remove or keep out persons who were inadmissible on grounds of security, violating human rights, or involvement in criminal activity or organized crime.

2012 Budget and Immigration

Close domestic offices and lay off more than 100 people

Close visa offices in Japan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Iran and Germany

Admissions by category

On the following slide the top chart represents the absolute number of individuals admitted under the categories (from top to bottom) family class, economic class, refugee, other

The bottom chart represents the percentage of total individuals admitted under each of the categories in the same sequence from top to bottom


Immigration in Canada Today:Components of Immigration IntakeFamily Reunification Members of the Family Class

Humanitarian Convention Refugees; Members of Designated Classes; Persons eligible under special humanitarian measures

Economic Assisted Relatives*Business Immigrants: EntrepreneursSelf-employed persons InvestorsRetirees Other Independent Immigrants*


Selection Grid for Economic Immigrants (Point System)Factor One: Education Maximum 25

Factor Two: Official Languages Maximum 24

1st Official Language Maximum 16

2nd Official Language Maximum 8

Factor Three: Experience Maximum 21

Factor Four: Age Maximum 10

Factor Five: Arranged Employment in Canada

Maximum 10

Factor Six: Adaptability Maximum 10

Total Maximum 100

Passing Mark 67


Selection Factor: AdaptabilityFactor Six: Adaptability Maximum 10

points

Spouse’s or common-law partner’s education 3 - 5

Minimum one year full-time authorized work in Canada

5

Minimum two years full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada

5

Have received points under the Arranged Employment in Canada factor

5

Family relationship in Canada 5


Immigrants’ Skills Are Underutilized

Principal Cause: the non-recognition of foreign education and foreign experience

Professional associations are often accused of placing too many barriers in front of otherwise qualified immigrants

Even with a work authorization given by a professional association, there is still an earnings gap between newcomers and the Canadian-born as well as higher rates of unemployment

Responding to this problem

The wage and employment gap has been identified by Jason Kenney as one of the principal restraints to raising immigration levels

Some proposals suggest increasing levels from the current 250,000 to 400,000 annually

Provincial governments and business are pushing for higher levels


Provinces and immigration

Provincial Nominee Program (PNPs) are in place with 10 jurisdictions (the Yukon and all provinces except Ontario and Quebec), through which provinces and territories nominate individuals as permanent residents to address specific labour market and economic development needs.

Provinces also put demands on the government to increase national immigration quotas

Quebec has its own agreement with the federal government

Has become an area of increase conflict in light of federal efforts to restrict immigration

Temporary foreign workers programthe selection of economic immigrants is not based on

chronological order (first come, first serve basis), but on an occupational demand basis in response to industry requests – most evident in the temporary workers program

Government has expedited the application program for temporary workers with online applications

Government has also allowed industry to pay up to 15% less to these workers (not clear how this helps address Kenney’s concerns over wage gap)

Immigration policy and ethical issues

Should Canada have more open immigration policies?

Who regulates immigration practices – government (federal/provincial) or business?

How to address unfair labour practices?

What is the proper response to uneven labour markets?

Should Canada be concerned with the brain drain?

Canada’s refugee policy

Refugees are defined by international law

As a signatory to international conventions, Canada is bound to offer a home to those who qualify as a refugee

Issues arise in the determination process; in the level of support; in the return to ‘safe countries’

Canadian refugee supportCanada has the one of the largest resettlement

programs in the world, this program brings refugees from camps and elsewhere to Canada many under sponsorship activities

Current numbers allowed to come to Canada are

about 14,000 of the approximately 100,000 who are resettled annually of the 16 million refugees worldwide

Last year Canada was the eighth largest supporter of the UNHCR’s budget, contributing about $59 million.

Canadian policy concernsNumber of refugees allowed to remain has been declining;

Safe Third Country Agreement with US; Mexico, Czech visas 2009

Determination of qualification seems arbitrary

Proposed policy changes that arose from Sun Sea incident in 2010 through Bill C-31:

Proposed extended detention period for ‘irregular arrivals’

Concerns also raised about limited time to prepare for appeals

Increase in the discretionary authority of the minister, for example in identifying safe countries

Source country refers to the principal country of alleged persecution

Diaspora communitiesForeign born and immigrant communities

have always been an important political consideration in foreign policy

So-called ‘ethnic lobby’ has had influence on specific decisions

Politicians will also use foreign policy to win the ‘ethnic vote’

Personal connections/interestExpertise, information, familiarity

Global Migration Flows

Top emigration countries in the world are: Mexico, India, China, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Pakistan, UK, Philippines, Turkey

Top immigration destinations are: US, Russia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Canada

Diaspora communities

Foreign policy officials are looking to these communities in a more systematic manner

Diaspora communities send more money back in remittances than the government provides in foreign aid

Canada and other governments also looking more closely at non-traditional diplomacy – citizens through both diaspora communities and Canadians abroad

Diaspora communities

These communities can be problematic – internal divisions

There are also concerns that they have too much influence in shaping foreign policy interests

Yet if national interests are determined by the interests of citizens at what point do the interests of diaspora communities become Canadian national interests

At the same time, foreign policy might benefit from their involvement, eg. no Afghani on the Manley Panel

Governments will pick and choose, though this might have political costs

The Canadian Diaspora

2.8 million Canadians live abroad (about 8% of the Canadian population)

‘Canadians Abroad’ a number of groups already exist in New York, Florida, Silicon Valley, Hong Kong, Philippines

“Global Citizens” initiative being considered by DFAIT

2012 budget cuts result in the withdrawal of $5m support for Canadian Studies programs abroad (39 countries) that reportedly generate $70m annually

Human rights and religious freedom: is this diaspora politics?

Political parties in Canada have always played to the ethnic vote, is this government different

Harper government has dismantled Rights and Democracy as an independent agency and brought it into DFAIT; also cut support to groups critical of Israeli human rights practices

Discussion of a centre for promoting democracy has been shelved

Developing an Office of Religious Freedom to champion religious rights (inspired by Shabaz Bhatti, assassinated Pakistani Minister)

Policy statements on Holodomor, Armenian genocide, Japanese use of ‘comfort women; but critical towards Tamils

Canada’s rank among 194 countries (rank may vary slightly depending on year consulted)

1st in percentage foreign born population2nd largest in size; 35th in population2nd in advanced education2nd in energy production among OECD4th human development index5th per capita income7th in trade9th in competitiveness9th in FDI recipient; 10th in FDI abroad13th in military spending

Given Canada’s position in the global community, is the country -

pulling its weightpunching above its weight, or (and changing the

metaphor)shirking its responsibilities

[email protected]

http://www.ualberta.ca/~tkeating/ELLA.ppt

http://www.ualberta.ca/~tkeating/ELLA2.ppt

http://www.ualberta.ca/~tkeating/ELLA3.ppt

The political Arctic The Canadian Arctic Canadian interests in the Arctic Security “nothing comes...

Documents

Transcript of The political Arctic The Canadian Arctic Canadian interests in the Arctic Security “nothing comes...