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.