Unlocking Our Northern Resources is Canada’s Future

Unlocking Our Northern Resources is Canada’s Future by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Our country has the second largest land mass in the world, and it has a treasure trove of Natural Resources that we are not using. The Northern stretches of our country are particularly well endowed, but sadly, they are also particularly ignored. During my tenure in the House of Commons, I always looked for ways to develop the Canadian Arctic both economically and as an essential part of the defence of Canada. Canada's three territories, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon - account for nearly 40 percent of the country's land mass and have a coastline that is twice as long as the Atlantic and Pacific coasts combined. However, Northerners number only about 114,000, with many living in the territorial capitals of Iqaluit, Yellowknife and Whitehorse. Indigenous peoples make up 86 percent of the population of Nunavut, 51 percent in the Northwest Territories and 23 percent in Yukon. The North is a place with many settled land claims and boasts a world-class geology. There are many different natural resources in the Arctic region of Canada. The land has gold and other minerals like zinc and copper, as well as diamonds. There are many mines in the Arctic for extracting these minerals and diamonds that provide jobs. Canada is the third largest producer of diamonds in the world. These diamond mines, strategic minerals and large oil and gas reserves could form the basis of a lucrative materials industry. In addition, the rich and unique cultures of our Northern territories could attract visitors from around the world, contributing to a thriving tourism industry. Thus, the North has the potential to become an engine for economic growth for the entire country and a destination for investment. The potential for wealth and job creation through resource development in the North is tremendous. Managed in a sustainable manner, Canada's incredible natural resources, including living marine resources such as fisheries, could contribute to the prosperity of Northerners and all Canadians for generations. These resources have the potential to be a cornerstone for sustained economic activity in the North and throughout Canada. The only problem is that Canadian governments since WW2 have had little interest in developing the country as a whole. They have remained focused on the old established settlements around the three big cities, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, and a narrow strip of land North of the US border. There have not been any new ideas, let alone revolutionary ones, for developing the country, cluttering the minds or desks of any politicians in the recent past. They limit themselves in the House of Commons to producing and pursuing imaginary political fights without any substance. Unfortunately, this trend continues in our current times, and shows no signs of abating. It is time to ask our politicians outright, what they are prepared to do today, for developing Canada; to establish new settlements and develop northern resources. Here is where the real future of Canada lies, not in fruitless and imaginary financial manipulations and corporate welfare. The federal government has the opportunity to unlock the North’s enormous potential for the benefit of all Canadians. Let us hope that one day soon they will do just that. The North is often viewed through the lens of its challenges — vast distances, harsh climates, and small populations — but these very factors make the North an exciting opportunity for Canada. As global attention focuses on critical minerals, climate resilience, and the Arctic’s geopolitical significance, the strategic potential of the North has never been clearer. The vastness of the North, while an asset, also poses real challenges. Nearly half of the communities lack year-round road access, leaving them isolated from essential goods and services. As climate change accelerates, northern supply chains are increasingly threatened by shorter winter-road seasons and lower water levels for barging. The impact of these changes has already been felt, with the rising cost of living and lost economic opportunities. Here, then, is the importance of federal investments in the North, rather than in futile and very costly international projects and subsidies. The importance of investing in Canada’s North cannot be overstressed. We need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure including all-season roads and energy and communications corridors to strengthen the North’s connection to the rest of Canada. We must ensure that Canada’s link to the Arctic remains secure, and we must unlock its economic potential. The North is warming at four times the global average, and the consequences of climate change are already reshaping life there. The North is Canada’s next horizon. Through strategic investments in housing, infrastructure, climate resilience, and critical minerals, the federal government has the opportunity to unlock the North’s enormous potential for the benefit of all Canadians. So how can we alert the Canadian political world to making the development of the North a first priority? What do you think?