Canada joins rush to claim the Arctic

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Canada raised the stakes in the battle to claim ownership of the Arctic by sending Stephen Harper, prime minister, on a three-day trek to the region, just days after the Russians planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole.

The US, Norway and Denmark are also competing alongside Russia and Canada to secure rights to the natural resources of the Arctic.

...

“Our government has an aggressive Arctic agenda,” Dimitri Soudas, Mr Harper’s spokesman, said on Wednesday.

“The Russians sent a submarine to drop a small flag at the bottom of the ocean. We’re sending our prime minister to reassert Canadian sovereignty,” said a senior government official, according to Canadian press.

Since the Russian expedition was discovered last month, Mr Harper has faced increasing pressure to fight back.

“Canada has a choice when it comes to defending our sovereignty over the Arctic,” said Mr Harper as he announced plans last month to spend about C$3.1bn (€2.14bn) on the construction of up to eight patrol vessels capable of breaking through much of the Arctic ice. “We either use it or lose it. And make no mistake – this government intends to use it.”

Mr Harper is also expected to name the site for a long-promised deepwater port in the region as well as asserting Canada’s claim over Hans Island, at the entrance to the Northwest Passage.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/589c552e-45eb-11dc...00779fd2ac.html

[Flames9_RN 359]

While I was still in the Cdn Air Force, we flew over (on a CP 140 Aurora (P3C)) Hans island, not much to it,lol

[Jasman0717 9]

This isn't the beginning of another 'COLD' war is it

[trailmix 77]

Canada raised the stakes in the battle to claim ownership of the Arctic by sending Stephen Harper, prime minister, on a three-day trek to the region, just days after the Russians planted a flag on the seabed at the North Pole.

Go Stephen! woot woot!

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Well, it doesnt make sense to me. It will take 50 years to even begin producing oil from that site. Good luck. Dont freeze your nuts off!