CANADA’S NORTH – A NEW STRATEGY

An important outcome of the conference will be a renewal and expansion of the northern dimension of Canada’s foreign policy. Co-operation between the eight Arctic states and Arctic Indigenous Peoples has been achieved through the Arctic Council, but what is this “high level forum” accomplishing? The conference will examine the meanings of “national interest” and “sovereignty” in the circumpolar world, the role of global conventions in a northern context, and the pros and cons of a legally-binding Arctic Ocean treaty between the Arctic states. Is compliance with existing treaties enough? What should a roadmap to 2030 look like?

Session Times:
2:30 pm Wed. June 3rd, 2009 Author`s Presentation
2:50 pm Wed. June 3rd, 2009 Panel Discussion
3:30 pm Wed. June 3rd, 2009 Break-out Discussion Groups

Session Paper and Presenter: Dr. Franklin Griffiths, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and George Ignatieff Chair Emeritus of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto

Panellists

• Brigadier General David Millar, Commander, Joint Task Force North
• George Braden, Braden & Associates, Ottawa
• Jim Lahey, Associated Deputy Minister, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (retired)
• Udloriak Hanson, Senior Policy Liaison, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Facilitator: TBA