Our True North Strong And Free?

A deep winter freeze now carpets the Arctic landscape with snow and chokes the surrounding maze of waterways with thick ice. But global warming has made its creeping, subtle presence known -- and threatens to take a massive toll on Canada's North in the years that lie ahead. Some scientists predict an Arctic thaw could open Northwest Passage water ways to commercial shipping within decades. That prospect imperils the survival of Inuit who live off the sea and land -- and puts in jeopardy Canada's rich cache of untapped resources that lie beneath. Over the years, behind-the-scenes diplomacy has occasionally erupted into public spats between world leaders declaring navigational rights in the region. Just days after taking office last year, a tough-talking Harper rebuked the U.S. position and publicly laid exclusive claim to Canada's "internal" waters. But the PM insists more than rhetoric is required to assert Canada's sovereignty, and says he's firmly committed to backing up his political stand with significant financial resources and military might. "The first priority of national defence is to assert your sovereign presence on your territory, to be prepared to defend Canadians from threats of all kinds, whether they be major threats of invasion, or simply minor threats of unauthorized surveillance or potential unauthorized economic activity," Harper said in an interview with Sun Media. "We believe that this is a first priority. We believe that Canadians are excited about the government asserting Canada's control and sovereignty in the Arctic. We believe that's one of the big reasons why Canadians are excited and support our plan to rebuild the Canadian Forces." http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Canada/2007/02/23/pf-3657541.html

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