Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Russia's Arctic Claim To North Pole To Put Political Heat On Canada, Expert

The Canadian Press, 04 Aug, 2015 01:19 PM
    OTTAWA — A defence expert says Russia's new bid for a vast swath of Arctic territory, including the North Pole, backs Canada into an uncomfortable corner in future negotiations over the frozen region.
     
    Moscow's revised international submission was revealed today in a statement by the country's foreign ministry and claims 1.2 million square kilometres of the Arctic shelf.
     
    Russia, the U.S., Canada, Denmark and Norway are working with the UN to define jurisdictional boundaries in the Arctic, which is thought to hold as much as a quarter of the planet's undiscovered oil and gas.
     
    In late 2013, the Harper government ordered officials to rewrite Canada’s Arctic claim to include the North Pole and more survey work is taking place this summer before Ottawa submits the document.
     
    Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary says Prime Minister Stephen Harper should make clear whether Canada is eventually willing to negotiate with Russia where claims intersect.
     
    He says the government has taken a tough line on Russia's annexation of Crimea and the questions that need to be asked are when does Canada re-engage diplomatically and whether that would signal de facto acceptance of the situation in Ukraine.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Saanich Police Cruiser Slams Into Vehicle To End Early-Morning Chase

    Saanich Police Cruiser Slams Into Vehicle To End Early-Morning Chase
    A section of a busy Vancouver Island highway connecting Victoria and Swartz Bay was closed for hours on Tuesday morning when Saanich police brought a vehicle pursuit to a crashing end.

    Saanich Police Cruiser Slams Into Vehicle To End Early-Morning Chase

    Mining Industry Still Horrified By Mount Polley Tailings Pond Collapse: Bennett

    Bill Bennett says no one thought a disaster on such a scale was possible but, even today, he can't guarantee the collapse of another tailings pond won't happen again.

    Mining Industry Still Horrified By Mount Polley Tailings Pond Collapse: Bennett

    Lawyer Says Homeless In Abbotsford Not Responsible For Plight

    Lawyer Says Homeless In Abbotsford Not Responsible For Plight
    NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — A lawyer arguing that the rights of homeless people are being violated in Abbotsford, B.C., says the city is blaming victims of the system.

    Lawyer Says Homeless In Abbotsford Not Responsible For Plight

    22-Year-Old Man Arrested After Lewd Act At National War Memorial

    Officers say bystanders saw the man climb the statue and begin the lewd activity late Sunday night. A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

    22-Year-Old Man Arrested After Lewd Act At National War Memorial

    Air Canada Bans Shipments Of Hunting Trophies After Killing Of Cecil The Lion

    Air Canada Bans Shipments Of Hunting Trophies After Killing Of Cecil The Lion
    TORONTO — Air Canada says it will no longer transport big-game hunting trophies after the killing of Cecil the lion drew international attention.

    Air Canada Bans Shipments Of Hunting Trophies After Killing Of Cecil The Lion

    Vancouver Teen, North Vancouver Man Die Of Suspected Fentanly Overdoses

    VANCOUVER — Police say fentanyl is suspected in the overdose deaths of two people in the Vancouver area over the long weekend.

    Vancouver Teen, North Vancouver Man Die Of Suspected Fentanly Overdoses