Canada flexes puny muscles over Arctic, rest of the world giggles

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The federal government unveiled a sweeping report on its Arctic policy Sunday, aimed at asserting Canada's claim to offshore resource rights.

...

As reported Saturday, the new report summarizes the "concrete action" being taken in the four main areas of the government's northern strategy -- sovereignty, social and economic development, the environment and governance reform -- and casts Canada as a leader on the international stage when it comes to charting the Arctic's future.

...

Among the hallmarks of the strategy include building Canada's largest icebreaker, CCGS John G. Diefenbaker, to assist in Arctic naval patrols, and the construction of a deep-sea port for refuelling in Nanisivik.

http://www.canada.com/Report+backs+Canada+...2180/story.html

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The federal government has promised new northern warships and military infrastructure and has begun establishing its own dedicated Arctic unit based in Yellowknife, N.W.T.

-http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jko3Gyv49P1zriews1eP3MAC6XOw

[Heracles 417]

Canada spends less than Australia on Military.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Canada spends less than Australia on Military.

I can hear the Australians giggling from all the way over here. Australia could take the Arctic and Canada couldn't do a damn thing about it. They are still working on acquiring their first icebreaker

[Heracles 417]

When it comes to military Canadians are on par with New Zealand. It's like enough with the jokes guys.

The only thing stopping Russia from claiming all of that area is the US.

Edited July 27, 2009 by haza

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

When it comes to military Canadians are on par with New Zealand. It's like enough with the jokes guys.

Maybe NZ will decide it wants ownership of the Antarctic. Canada and NZ together can rule the ends of the earth!

[The_Dude 1,142]

When it comes to military Canadians are on par with New Zealand. It's like enough with the jokes guys.

The only thing stopping Russia from claiming all of that area is the US.

Wrong. Canada military spending is 17th in the world, whereas Australia is 14th.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_count...ary_expenditure

Canada is doing this in an effort to assert it's resources rights in the Arctic. Russia and Canada are the biggest players in the fight for who controls what portion of the untapped resources, with each side asserting a different criteria for determining who gets access to what.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Russia and Canada are the biggest players in the fight for who controls what portion...

If Canada is up against Russia, they may as well give up now

[The_Dude 1,142]

Russia and Canada are the biggest players in the fight for who controls what portion...

If Canada is up against Russia, they may as well give up now

Why? What is Russia going to do? Their argument is weak. They are mostly fighting over the area that spans between Russia and North America. The rest of the land, Russia has no claim too despite their best efforts. Planting a Russian flag underwater near the North Pole does not mean it's your land

[Empress of Groovy 373]

One of the buffest guys I've ever seen is Canadian. I think he may have been a juicer, but you should have seen his biceps!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Why all the hating on Canada? They are a good neighbor to the US, and provide us a hat to wear.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Why? What is Russia going to do? Their argument is weak.

The Canadian method is to argue ad nauseum like a nation of pansies.

The Russians just take. Like real men always have.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Wrong. Canada military spending is 17th in the world, whereas Australia is 14th.

That may be - but Australia has The Humungus and a cavalry force of boomerang throwing Roo-Riders

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

One of the buffest guys I've ever seen is Canadian. I think he may have been a juicer, but you should have seen his biceps!

Maybe he is Canada's secret weapon!

[The_Dude 1,142]

Wrong. Canada military spending is 17th in the world, whereas Australia is 14th.

That may be - but Australia has The Humungus and a cavalry force of boomerang throwing Roo-Riders

Meh, they wear speedos to the beach. Surely they could be defeated by Canada's Baby Seal Clubbing Brigade.