Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Honourable members of the committee, thank you for the invitation to appear before you today. I am Dr. Sheena Kennedy, and I am here on behalf of Oceans North, where I serve as executive director.
I’d like to acknowledge my friend, Mr. Herb Nakimayak, and congratulate him on his recent appointment as interim president of ICC Canada.
Oceans North supports marine conservation and climate action in partnership with indigenous and coastal communities. Over the last 15 years, our collaborative and science-based approach has led to tangible outcomes for Arctic communities, including contributing to the protection of over 650,000 square kilometres of marine area; the establishment of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area; the successful conclusion of the SINAA agreement between the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Government of Canada; and a network of indigenous-led science, monitoring and other research projects that support the well-being of Arctic communities across the Canadian north and in Greenland.
Canada demonstrated leadership in releasing a new Arctic foreign policy in 2024, and I'd like to commend this committee on its decision to review it now. In this period of transformative, unparalleled change, the regular study of our approach to the opportunities and challenges facing the Arctic is both urgent and necessary. I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge the essential role that Canada’s new Arctic ambassador will play as the Arctic becomes an even greater theatre of geopolitical interest.
At this time, when global powers are showing renewed interest in the Arctic, Canada’s approach to policy in this region must underscore that diplomacy is our first line of defence. Canada should remain committed to the principles of peace, stability and rules-based international order.
Canada and its Arctic allies have always found ways to co-operate on matters of mutual interest. For example, the unprecedented precautionary agreement to regulate fishing in the central Arctic Ocean is an example of this exceptional multilateralism. Building on the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement to address emerging industrial activities such as transpolar shipping and deep-sea mining in the central Arctic Ocean would strengthen multilateral co-operation in this highly sensitive and globally significant region.
Canada should also continue to strengthen its relationships across the circumpolar world. With Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, Canada could establish bilateral agreements on matters of trade, environmental protection, defence, science and monitoring. The rapid establishment of the bilateral Pikialasorsuaq protected area, also known as the North Water Polynya, which is located between northern Baffin Island and northwest Greenland, would strengthen communication, data and knowledge sharing and monitoring capabilities between both regions.
To support this process, we recommend that Canada expedite the establishment of an Arctic consulate in Nuuk and work with the newly appointed Canadian and Greenlandic Arctic ambassadors, as well as ITK and ICC, to identify a shared set of priorities for Arctic diplomacy and co-operation.
As you heard from Herb, Arctic peoples have always lived in deep connection with the marine environment and are on the forefront of climate change and biodiversity loss. Their knowledge and experience must inform all policies and decisions the Government of Canada undertakes with regard to the Arctic, their homeland.
Arctic waters are seeing exponential increases in vessel traffic as climate change drives sea ice retreat. Robust management of shipping in Canada’s EEZ is essential to avoid accidents, such as the recent grounding of the MV Thamesborg, and deleterious impacts to the marine environment, but most relevant to this discussion today, a more robust system for managing Arctic shipping would enhance Canada's domain awareness in the Northwest Passage at this critical time.
In the Arctic, the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Rangers play an essential role in monitoring and contributing to the federal government’s awareness and surveillance of the region. To perform this function at a calibre sufficient to meet this moment, both programs require adequate and scaled resourcing.
The existing network within Arctic communities already contributes greatly to our domain awareness in the Arctic, but for deeper knowledge, expertise, on-the-ground capacity and durability, the federal government must invest in best-in-class infrastructure, equipment and training to fully realize the potential of these important programs. All of these efforts would serve multiple purposes and contribute to meeting many federal priorities while supporting Inuit sovereignty.
I will close by saying that I'm deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be here today, and I look forward to our discussion.
Thank you.