Foreign Affairs Committee on March 5th, 2013

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Could we get started?

I don't know if you can hear us in Whitehorse right now.

[A voice]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Excellent. We're expecting Joe Linklater. Is he on his way?

[A voice]

I haven't heard from him.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

What we'll do is get started. We have another witness joining us here via video conference as well. We have a little committee business to deal with.

We'll get started with the other witness, Duane Smith. When Mr. Linklater comes in, we can get him to read his statement, so you can brief him on how we'll proceed because we only have an hour and we probably need to get going. Does that sound okay, to you?

[A voice]

That's fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Excellent.

Mr. Smith, just before we get started, we have a member here who wants to read a motion into the record. That will take us about 30 seconds. I'm going to turn the floor over to Mr. Dewar and then we'll come back, Mr. Smith, with your opening testimony, and we'll proceed like that.

Mr. Dewar, I turn the microphone over to you.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair, and thank you for the patience of our witness.

I want to table a motion. It's relative to our study on the Arctic. We'll hand this out to members. We'll be dealing with committee business later and perhaps we'll deal with it then. The motion reads:

That, as part of its study on Canada's objectives at the Arctic Summit, the committee invite Ambassadors of Arctic Council member states to present their governments' priorities for the Arctic to the committee through appearing before the committee or making a written submission.

I just want to put that notice of motion and perhaps we can deal with it later in committee business.

Thank you, Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Sure, we'll deal with it later. Thank you very much.

Why don't we get started then. We have Duane Smith who's the president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council.

We want to welcome you, sir. You have the floor. We'll give you 10 minutes to make your opening statement. Then over the next 55 minutes we'll move back and forth between the government and the opposition to ask questions with regard to your testimony.

Mr. Smith, why don't you introduce yourself and give us your opening statement, please.

[Duane Smith, President, Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada)]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I do apologize, first of all, for not being able to make it there due to my own schedule and previous commitments. I thank you, the committee and you yourself, for the opportunity to speak with you on this important matter.

My name is Duane Smith. I'm the president and vice-chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council. I represent the Inuit of Canada internationally.

I have provided you with a brief background in regard to some of the activities ICC, as we're commonly referred to, has been involved in, especially ICC Canada.

I've provided you with copies, and I apologize because I understand that they haven't been provided in time to make copies for all of the members of the committee in both English and French. I was only able to provide them to you in English. Your staff has kindly informed me that they will have it all translated and provided to you.

I do strongly recommend that, if you have the time, you review these documents. The first one is “A Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic”, and the second is “A Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Resource Development Principles in Inuit Nunaat”.

I did not prepare a detailed presentation to you, Mr. Chair. My understanding was that I was being requested to sit in front of the committee to have a dialogue on Canada's Arctic policy. I think it would be much more informative for us to have this discussion, for me especially, to get some insight in regard to Canada's views on how we can move forward together on these things.

Most of you, I would assume.... I apologize for some of my wording, but the Inuit Circumpolar Council represents Inuit from Chukotka, Russia; Alaska, United States; Canada, of course; and Greenland, Denmark.

We have about 155,000 Inuit who reside in these regions. We are a part of the Arctic Council as a permanent participant. We are also a part of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where at this time we represent the Arctic seat on that forum. There are seven other indigenous representatives that sit on this body, along with eight government representatives.

The Inuit Circumpolar Council, again, represents the interests of the Inuit, as well as other northerners when it comes to broader, more general issues that may reflect on the well-being, and the issues that are of relevance to people within the Arctic.

I will leave it at that, Mr. Chair. As I said, I think that if we entertain some dialogue among ourselves, it'll be much more informative for me.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Could I ask you to give us a couple of initial thoughts on what you guys support? Perhaps you could tell us some of the things you are looking at or have been involved in, just to help frame some of the questions from our members a little bit better. Could you maybe informally give us a couple of paragraphs on that? That may help frame the discussion for us as well in terms of where you're coming from. Would that be helpful?

[Duane Smith]

Yes, of course. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for that direction.

I would refer to Canada's Arctic foreign policy initially. I would hope it's a living document that Canada will continue to review and update and keep reflective of what Canada's views and policies are within the Arctic.

If you look at the document, one thing is that the human dimension only comes in on page 22 of this document, which is near the end. I would hope and think that Canada would consider moving that up to be a higher priority, to reflect that in the document in the future when it gets reviewed, so that it's understood not only by the residents but by the broader audience that the human dimension within Canada is the first and foremost priority.

Also, the Inuit Circumpolar Council is highly involved in quite a number of issues, not only human rights issues wherever they may be, but also issues with regard to activities such as the contaminants and the long-range pollutants.

Some of you may be aware that the Inuit Circumpolar Council works very closely with the Government of Canada in regard to what is referred to as the dirty dozen in the Stockholm convention, and how that was resolved. That was a significant milestone not only for Canada, but for the ICC as well, to get that recognized and to regulate those pollutants. As we speak on a daily basis, more and more pollutants are put on this list to be regulated to minimize the negative effects they may have on the environment.

We also are involved in a variety of contaminant projects and issues. I must point out that the way the Inuit view these issues, especially contaminants entering the ecosystem, is that we see ourselves as a part of the ecosystem. We were actively involved in the international negotiations on the mercury treaty that was recently signed and agreed to by a vast majority of the countries around the world.

It's important to us because these types of heavy metals and contaminants that enter the ecosystem also enter into us, because we try to live in a sustainable manner within the ecosystem around us. That's one of the highlights that I would think Canada would emphasize to the broader audience, because it is in our interest, not only as Inuit, but as Canadians, to try to reflect a sustainable use perspective of the ecosystem around us as much as we can. It's part of our culture, it's in our nature to do so.

I reflect on that because of the various recent international...or other nations trying to infringe on our processes and our approaches in regard to the sustainable management and use of various species, such as seals, and such as polar bears more recently. On occasion, walruses are considered also. I point this out because this is not something we take lightly within the Inuit world. It's reflective of our culture. To have statements that these species are endangered and they're going to be either extirpated within certain regions or countries, or totally exterminated altogether, is the last thing we would want to see.

I use the polar bear as an example. There have never been more polar bears running around on the earth, and it's primarily because of sustainable management. Canada has the vast majority of polar bears in the world and manages them very closely with the respective regional Inuit organizations that have that mandate and responsibility within their land claims.

I'm trying to point out the sustainable use of the ecosystem, but also the importance of minimizing the negative effects of contaminants and heavy metals within the ecosystem, because they also enter into us and affect our health and our well-being.

So that's a very quick overview on two very crucial issues, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you, Mr. Smith. We appreciate that.

With that context in mind we're going to start with the opposition. We have Mr. Dewar, for seven minutes.

Mr. Dewar, the floor is yours.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Thank you.

Thank you to our witness for getting up early and for providing us with some context as to our study on the Arctic.

I want to just take a minute. You had mentioned a couple of documents: “A Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic”, and also on resource and development principles.

If I may, I'll start with the “Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic”, which you signed onto. I was really impressed with the thoroughness of the document and the perspective. Often when we hear of sovereignty, some people have a certain view of what sovereignty means, certainly here in the south, and I would be interested in your comments about it in the north. In particular, in the document, 3.2 reads:

The actions of Arctic peoples and states, the interactions between them, and the conduct of international relations must give primary respect to the need for global environmental security, the need for peaceful resolution of disputes, and the inextricable linkages between issues of sovereignty and sovereign rights in the Arctic and issues of self-determination.

There is another component of this declaration that I think is important, and it is that there is a pressing need for enhanced international exchange and cooperation in relation to the Arctic.

We're studying the Arctic because, as you know, Canada is taking over the chair of the Arctic Council. Where you had defined sovereignty, you really have put an emphasis on a multilateral approach as it relates to people. Taking from the declaration you have here, I wonder if you can give us some specific things that you think we should be putting on the agenda, as chair of the Arctic Council, as it relates to your declaration.

[Duane Smith]

May I respond, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Most definitely, sir, go ahead.

[Duane Smith]

Thank you.

Thank you for emphasizing that declaration. Yes, of course this is a key document that the Inuit Circumpolar Council continues to refer to on occasion. It's referred to not only by ourselves, but also by the Arctic Council. It has also been highlighted at the United Nations.

As you suggest, it's a way for people to try to seek resolution in a peaceful manner, to come to some sort of understanding and arrangement, agreement on how to move forward to meet the best interests of everybody.

In regard to trying to point out some specific areas within the document itself, there are five points right after the section you read that reflect on Inuit as partners. Instead of reading each and every one of those out, I would just point out that we as Inuit see ourselves working not only with Canada but with other organizations, other states, and other countries as well in regard to dealing with sovereignty issues.

We're not saying that...or we're not a part of any state of anything. We're trying to come up with a process where we, as a specific group of indigenous people, want to work with all parties that have an interest. I'm trying to come up with wording to move forward in regard to how these other outside states have an interest within our backyards.

I look at the Arctic Council's structure as an example where we, as the Inuit Circumpolar Council, can sit right at the table and take part in an advisory role in the discussions and the deliberations that take place among the eight primary Arctic states. That's a consensus body. The Inuit Circumpolar Council, as a permanent participant, doesn't have a vote at that, but as I said, we sit at the table and we provide our perspectives and views in an advisory capacity.

Second—

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

If I may, sorry to interrupt, but I thank you for that. I think it might be helpful that we have both of the documents, the declaration on sovereignty in the Arctic and also the principles of resource development, as evidence for our analysts to take a look at. As you mentioned, we could read them all, but the document's done and we can provide that for our study. Thank you.

Because you were referencing the input from Inuit, I want to ask about the other declaration, which was on resource development. I'm looking at point number 5 where it says “Inuit and others–through their institutions and international instruments–have a shared responsibility to evaluate the risks and benefits of their actions through the prism of global environmental security.” You already touched on this in your presentation. Can you tell us why it is absolutely critical for Inuit to be involved when it comes to being stewards of the land and the environment?

[Duane Smith]

Both poles are considered as sinkholes in regard to atmospheric as well as ocean current dumping, if I can use that word. But that's where a lot of the atmospheric pollutants and contaminants rotate: it's within the Arctic. With the changing Arctic, we're living on the edge, the frontier, if I may, in regard to the changes that are taking place. We're seeing it and living it first-hand. For us to try to continue to adapt and live a sustainable life in a community within this part of the world where it's changing quite rapidly it does have these effects on us. We need to make people more aware of this, but we also need to develop strategies on working with each other on how to minimize such effects so that we can continue to have these sustainable communities within the Arctic.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

That's all the time we have. Thank you very much.

We're going to turn it over to Ms. Grewal, please, for seven minutes.

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Mr. Smith, for your time and your presentation.

The council and Arctic organizations have placed a priority on the inclusion of indigenous peoples of the Arctic in the process of developing this region. Their contributions have been viewed as very important, meaningful, and of course insightful. How can the Government of Canada further demonstrate their interest in, and dedication to, the inclusion and importance of indigenous peoples of the north?

[Duane Smith]

To some degree Canada and the other Arctic states are developing their own approaches. Some are further ahead than others in regard to working closely with indigenous peoples of the Arctic. I think just having this discussion and this dialogue with yourselves and the committee is one approach and one development that Canada undertakes in regard to its commitment to working closely with the indigenous peoples.

You're well aware that within the Inuit world of Canada there are four modern-day treaties, as they're referred to. The respective regional Inuit organizations have a constitutional responsibility, along with Canada, to work together on implementing those land claims. This addresses part of your question because it gives the process and the direction on how to move forward on certain issues, and not only in regard to resource development. There are processes that are established that ensure various environmental assessments are conducted with the involvement of the regional organizations. I refer back to the document that your colleague was referring to on resource development. It says that Inuit are open to development issues as long as we're respected and there's a process in place that respects us and involves us in those processes.

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

It has been mentioned at our committee that it was very important for the chair of the Arctic Council to be someone who has actually lived and spent their time in the Arctic. Do you agree with this sentiment?

[Duane Smith]

Well, coming from the north myself, it does reflect on Canada's commitment. It does reflect on Canada's wanting to have somebody with that knowledge and insight. It's beneficial to everybody in that regard. But it's how you put that framework together as well, and the mandate.

The incoming chair has been consulting with not only us but also the broader audience within the circumpolar Arctic in regard to its mandate in putting together that framework on delivering what Canada sees as its agenda within that two-year timeframe.

They're still developing that. They're still consulting and working closely, not only with us but with others, in revising and trying to reflect everybody's views and perspectives, all while trying to also be realistic in the agenda and the mandate and the timeframe to ensure that we can achieve some objectives within that.

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Mr. Smith, in your opinion, how effective has the permanent participant mechanism been in ensuring that indigenous perspectives are reflected in the work of the Arctic Council?