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Canada recently presented its new Arctic foreign policy, also referred to as a diplomatic strategy.

The update occurs in a landscape of intensified geopolitical competition and climate change with wide-range consequences.

"The Arctic is no longer a low tension region. We live in a tough world, and we need to be tough in our response," says the Canadian MFA Mélanie Joly (Liberal).

Joly maintains that competition is increasing worldwide and that the Arctic region is not immune to this.

"Many countries, including non-Arctic states, aspire for a greater role in Arctic affairs. The evolving security and political realities in the region mean we need a new approach to advance our national interests and to ensure a stable, prosperous, and secure Arctic, especially for the Northerners and the Indigenous Peoples who call the Arctic home," she emphasizes.

Assertion of sovereignty

"Our new Arctic foreign policy has key pillars. The first is, of course, to continue asserting Canada's sovereignty, including over the Northwest Passage. Diplomacy and defense go hand in hand," maintains Joly.

“Climate change is increasing access to Arctic resources and shipping lanes, enticing nations to the region and heightening competition. This evolving environment creates new security challenges," says Canada's Minister of National Defense, Bill Blair (Liberal), and continues:

"Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy responds to these growing challenges with a focus on asserting our sovereignty in the North, while supporting prosperity for those living there. This new policy complements our defense policy, Our North, Strong and Free, which will see us expand our presence in the North.”

The new updated Canadian defense policy was launched in April.

Pragmatic diplomacy

The policy's second pillar is advancing Canada's interests through pragmatic diplomacy.

"Threats to Canada’s security are no longer bound by geography; climate change is accelerating rapidly; and non-Arctic states, including China, are also seeking greater influence in the governance of the Arctic. To respond, Canada must be strong in the North American Arctic, and it requires deeper collaboration with its greatest ally, the United States," states Joly in the foreword to the strategy.

"Canada must also maintain strong ties with its 5 Nordic allies, which are now also all NATO members," she adds.

• Canada will continue to advance bilateral cooperation with the United States in the North and explore new avenues of cooperation in critical areas of national interest, including security and safety, science and research technology, and energy security.
• Ottawa also seeks more bilateral and regional cooperation with the Nordic countries in several areas, such as Arctic science and technology, climate change, culture, defense, and security. A new position will be created in one of Canada's Nordic missions for increased coordination and information sharing, including on security issues.

Not least, the focus is directed toward close neighbors in the North American Arctic:

"With Alaska in the west and Greenland in the east, we will open new consulates in Anchorage and in Nuuk to be where it counts," says Joly.

Canada's pragmatic diplomacy is also directed toward non-Arctic states and actors.

Guided by several principles, such as respect for Arctic states' sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the Arctic, Ottawa will place particular emphasis on collaboration with parties in two regions: the North Atlantic (primarily the EU and the UK) and the North Pacific (Japan and Korea).

Leadership in Arctic governance

The third pillar consists of Canada wanting to play a leading role within Arctic governance.

The main focus is strengthening the Arctic Council as the preeminent forum for cooperation in the region.

"Canada will not allow Russia’s actions to undermine the integrity or functionality of this important body. The people of the Arctic, who benefit so deeply from the important work of the council, should not be made to suffer because of Russia’s choices," reads the strategy.

Ottawa will increase its contributions to the Arctic Council to enable greater Canadian engagement and leadership in its projects and to provide stronger institutional support for its work. The country will also fund innovative Indigenous and youth ideas in the council.

Such support is seen as critically important as the council continues to scale up its activities. In February, all Arctic states agreed that the council’s working groups could resume official meetings in a digital format.

Canada will also increase its leadership in the Arctic Council in preparation for its third chairship of the forum in the period 2029-2031.

The chairship program is to be designed in cooperation with council partners, the permanent participants (Indigenous organizations) from Canada, as well as Canadian territorial and provincial authorities, and other Indigenous partners.

Inclusive diplomacy

Canada also aims for a more inclusive approach to Arctic diplomacy. This is the strategy's fourth pillar.

First and foremost, the diplomatic efforts in the Arctic are to be informed by and benefit Arctic and northern Indigenous peoples, as well as others who live in the North.

A significant step is to create the position of Arctic ambassador.

The Arctic ambassador's responsibilities will include linking domestic issues with those relating to foreign affairs, serving as Canada’s Senior Arctic Official in the Arctic Council, advancing Canada’s polar interests in multilateral forums, engaging with Arctic and non-Arctic counterparts, and raising awareness internationally of Indigenous rights in the Arctic context.

In carrying out these duties, the ambassador will work closely with Arctic and northern Indigenous peoples, other northerners, and relevant territorial and provincial governments.

Ottawa will also support the representation of northerners and Indigenous peoples on the world stage and increase the number of such voices at Global Affairs Canada.

In addition, promoting Indigenous and northern foreign policy priorities, such as cross-border mobility, is important within this pillar.

Anchored in the North

An important dimension of the new Arctic strategy is also its anchoring in the Canadian Arctic and Northern Policy Framework from 2019. It was developed together with Indigenous peoples and authorities in northern territories and provinces.

“I am proud to support a new Arctic Foreign Policy that includes northern Indigenous knowledge, and reflects on the needs and priorities of the North," says the Minister of Northern Affairs, Dan Vandal (Liberal).

"Placing Indigenous voices, knowledge, and wisdom at the foreground of both the policy and its implementation will ensure that the future of the Canadian Arctic on the international stage is shaped by the communities who have called the Arctic home since time immemorial," he adds.

Natan Obed, President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, an organization representing 53 Inuit communities in the Canadian Arctic, also spoke at the strategy's launch.

“Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada, makes up 40 percent of Canada’s land area and all of its Arctic coastline. Security and prosperity of Inuit Nunangat is a shared priority for Inuit and Canada, articulated through our work at the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee table," says Obed, adding:

"Building on our successful co-development of elements of the Arctic Foreign Policy through ICPC, we are committed to continue work to ensure that Inuit and Canada jointly deliver on the AFP’s strong ambitions.”

Read the entire strategy here.

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