Front Burner

Is Canada's Arctic sovereignty in danger?

U.S. President Trump says he wants to expand American influence in the Arctic. What could that mean for Canada’s rights in the region?
Two dark figures stand on a snowy landscape.
Two military personnel walk during Operation Nanook-Nunalivut in Resolute Bay, Nunavut on March 7. Temperatures dipped to below –50 C during the tour. (Luke Carroll/CBC)

U.S. President Trump has been talking about wanting to gain control of Greenland, and expand American influence in the Arctic.

It's a region rich in minerals and oil. It's also an important potential trade route being opened up by climate change.  

The U.S. is reportedly in talks with Russia about possible collaboration on energy projects there.

This has a lot of people in Canada – from Northern premiers, federal politicians, and members of Canada's military – worried about our country's sovereignty and security.

David Pugliese is the longtime military and defence reporter for the Ottawa Citizen. He explains why the Arctic is both so valuable and vulnerable, whether the region's sovereignty is at risk, and what Canada could do about it.

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