Without nuclear icebreakers — The West will be dominated by those who have them (Russia and China).
If we wish to play the great game that is geopolitics well — we would work with Russia and China; but we play the great game ever so poorly in Canada so that door will not open for some time — as we double down on our psychotic southern neighbour who takes the stick to us whenever it is convenient for them to do so.
‘It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy but to be America’s friend is fatal.’ — Henry Kissinger
‘It is so easy to be an enemy of the United States, but so difficult to be a friend.’ — Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (president of South Vietnam from 1967 to 1975)
This is an unserious comment on a few levels. First, ask Ukraine or Tibet about how they find dealing with their neighbours. Second, you do not need nuclear-powered icebreakers to have effective sovereignty, but you do need a fleet of icebreakers that are reliable. The Russian vessels are impressive, but climate change means the heavy ice will become less and less prevalent. This is where the collaboration of the ICE Pact is smart and strategic. Like everywhere in the world at the moment, Canada-US relations are impacted by polarization and populism, but will return to normal. Canada should strive to be reliable and serious to help facilitate that return.
Erin, waiting for climate change to solve our problems doesn’t make any sense. Rising to the occasion and creating nuclear icebreakers does.
The best solution for humanity is working with China and Russia; but that door likely will not open until Western democracies fail (which they are in the process of doing due to hubris and debt).
Better systems always dominate lesser ones (as history has shown time and time again). Centralized governments will dominate the fragmented and paralyzed Western democracies — thankfully once we are humbled it will open the door to newer and better systems made in the 21st for the 21st century.
The French Revolution occurred due to France going bankrupt and created more modern systems — I suspect history will rhyme as Western democracies go bankrupt and fail, it’ll open doors to newer and better systems (via chaos like The French Revolution unfortunately).
Developing the arctic — no matter who does it — is a win for humanity so I cannot argue with your concept of development. My viewpoint is that we are witnessing the late stages of nationalism before the great amalgamation occurs (as amalgamation is the general arc of humanity and civilization). Development is always a win regardless which nation does it.
Thank you for sharing the article and insight Erin — Godspeed
This is a first article by Erin O'Toole that I strongly agree with. Nuclear icebreakers or not Canada needs to protect it's North so improvements need to be made fast regardless which government is in power. It is Canadian North, Our North. Please put the border on that and protect it.
Great article. The CPC should add as other its Arctic policy to incorporate the genre optic cable proposal, as their policies currently propose an overall increase to defense spending and Canadian presence in the Arctic. I see Trump’s second attempt to purchase Greenland as the opening gambit of a pincher movement to claim the Arctic for the US. With Alaska in the west and Greenland in the east, the US would be in a much stronger position to assert total control over the Northwest passage and lands. We can only hope that our totally ineffective PM is gone by spring so new leadership can do what Trudeau hasn’t done, lead the country into a stronger military presence and thus a more secure future with hostile nations coveting our rich resource base.
Cannot disagree. The only problem is the large price tag, which everyone agrees with except to increase their own taxes. Dirty secret? Canada does not have the tax base to compete with China or the US and taxpayers are unwilling to vote for tax increases. I would note that Russian voters effectively no say on their tax rates; Putin is entirely invulnerable, short of a replay of the 1918 revolution.
Sounds Good and is needed. As long as the AMERICANS are not part of or has a say in our Sovereignty of the NORTH WEST PASSAGE. That’s one thing we don’t need AMERICAN INTERFERENCE.
Erin O’Toole was tossed under the bus by his own party for showing intelligence.
Yet he still shills for PeePee.
PeePee will be the third wonder kid that the Conservatives have put forward. Never forget little Andy Scheer, the guy whose resume was so thin that he lied about being an insurance agent.
The Conservative Party would be in a different place with O’Toole than they are with PeePee.
Here here!
Or is it hear hear? 🙂
Without nuclear icebreakers — The West will be dominated by those who have them (Russia and China).
If we wish to play the great game that is geopolitics well — we would work with Russia and China; but we play the great game ever so poorly in Canada so that door will not open for some time — as we double down on our psychotic southern neighbour who takes the stick to us whenever it is convenient for them to do so.
‘It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy but to be America’s friend is fatal.’ — Henry Kissinger
‘It is so easy to be an enemy of the United States, but so difficult to be a friend.’ — Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (president of South Vietnam from 1967 to 1975)
This is an unserious comment on a few levels. First, ask Ukraine or Tibet about how they find dealing with their neighbours. Second, you do not need nuclear-powered icebreakers to have effective sovereignty, but you do need a fleet of icebreakers that are reliable. The Russian vessels are impressive, but climate change means the heavy ice will become less and less prevalent. This is where the collaboration of the ICE Pact is smart and strategic. Like everywhere in the world at the moment, Canada-US relations are impacted by polarization and populism, but will return to normal. Canada should strive to be reliable and serious to help facilitate that return.
Erin, waiting for climate change to solve our problems doesn’t make any sense. Rising to the occasion and creating nuclear icebreakers does.
The best solution for humanity is working with China and Russia; but that door likely will not open until Western democracies fail (which they are in the process of doing due to hubris and debt).
Better systems always dominate lesser ones (as history has shown time and time again). Centralized governments will dominate the fragmented and paralyzed Western democracies — thankfully once we are humbled it will open the door to newer and better systems made in the 21st for the 21st century.
The French Revolution occurred due to France going bankrupt and created more modern systems — I suspect history will rhyme as Western democracies go bankrupt and fail, it’ll open doors to newer and better systems (via chaos like The French Revolution unfortunately).
Developing the arctic — no matter who does it — is a win for humanity so I cannot argue with your concept of development. My viewpoint is that we are witnessing the late stages of nationalism before the great amalgamation occurs (as amalgamation is the general arc of humanity and civilization). Development is always a win regardless which nation does it.
Thank you for sharing the article and insight Erin — Godspeed
Thanks Erin. Having a recommendation about positive action that can be taken is a nice change from empty proposals. Have a great holiday!!
This is a first article by Erin O'Toole that I strongly agree with. Nuclear icebreakers or not Canada needs to protect it's North so improvements need to be made fast regardless which government is in power. It is Canadian North, Our North. Please put the border on that and protect it.
Great article. The CPC should add as other its Arctic policy to incorporate the genre optic cable proposal, as their policies currently propose an overall increase to defense spending and Canadian presence in the Arctic. I see Trump’s second attempt to purchase Greenland as the opening gambit of a pincher movement to claim the Arctic for the US. With Alaska in the west and Greenland in the east, the US would be in a much stronger position to assert total control over the Northwest passage and lands. We can only hope that our totally ineffective PM is gone by spring so new leadership can do what Trudeau hasn’t done, lead the country into a stronger military presence and thus a more secure future with hostile nations coveting our rich resource base.
Excellent issue scan and some ideal policy proposals.
great ideas and historical summary of concerns re The Artic. Thanks Erin.
Cannot disagree. The only problem is the large price tag, which everyone agrees with except to increase their own taxes. Dirty secret? Canada does not have the tax base to compete with China or the US and taxpayers are unwilling to vote for tax increases. I would note that Russian voters effectively no say on their tax rates; Putin is entirely invulnerable, short of a replay of the 1918 revolution.
Sounds Good and is needed. As long as the AMERICANS are not part of or has a say in our Sovereignty of the NORTH WEST PASSAGE. That’s one thing we don’t need AMERICAN INTERFERENCE.
Brave Great Article
Miss you Mr O'toole
Erin O’Toole was tossed under the bus by his own party for showing intelligence.
Yet he still shills for PeePee.
PeePee will be the third wonder kid that the Conservatives have put forward. Never forget little Andy Scheer, the guy whose resume was so thin that he lied about being an insurance agent.
The Conservative Party would be in a different place with O’Toole than they are with PeePee.
Party needs a leader much closer to the center and some of the far rights need to be gone.