Canadian achievements during
chairmanship of Arctic Council (2013-2015)
Has Canada met its objectives?
What is still left to do?
Andrée N. Cooligan
Ambassador of Canada to Finland March 24, 2015
Kemi, Finland
Development for the People of the North
• Safe Arctic Shipping
• Sustainable Resource Development
• Sustainable Circumpolar Communities
Promoting Mental Wellness in Northern Circumpolar Communities
• Work is being done through the Sustainable
Development Working Group (SDWG), led by Canada, the U.S. and Norway.
• The key objectives are to assess the outcomes of recent research, programs and activities undertaken in circumpolar communities which promote
resilience and well-being.
• Nunavut is Canadian co-lead, providing valuable technical and financial support, including hosting the synthesis conference in February 2015.
• NEXT STEP: Mental Health Symposium in Iqaluit, March 25-27, 2015
© Paul Vecsei, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)
Addressing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants
• The Task Force for Action on Black
Carbon and Methane, chaired by Canada and Sweden, is developing
“arrangements on actions” to address these pollutants.
© Paul Galipeau
Facilitating Adaptation to Climate Change
• Work is being done by the Sustainable
Development Working Group (SDWG), led by Canada, the U.S., Gwich’in Council
International (GCI) and Aleut International Association (AIA).
• The project will develop an on-line portal that will facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and best practices.
• Natural Resources Canada and Yukon are
Canadian co-leads. Yukon is responsible for the development and implementation of the
portal.
© Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)
• Founding Meeting took place in Iqaluit on September 2-3, 2014
o select companies from each country and permanent participant
• Next Steps: establish working groups open to those outside the council, across industries:
o Infrastructure o Energy
o Mining o Tourism o Fishing
o Human Resources o Capacity Building
© Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)
Arctic Economic Council
Arrived in Pori, 7.10.13
Total Population of territories: 107, 265
~10 Million square kilometres
~34 Million people
The M/V Martin Bergmann at the Cambridge Bay wharf with the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Sir Wilfrid Laurier at anchor in the background.
The National Ship-building Procurement Strategy
Canadian Arctic Products
GV Snowshoes
Canada Goose
• A professional grade manufacturer of outdoor apparrel, sleeping bags, expedition wear and accessories. Specialized for sub arctic conditions.
• Maintaining the `Made in Canada ´brand in a gloablized world.
• Canada Goose in Finland – 40% sales increase in 2013 & 2014
• Canada Goose CSR – Canada Goose operates four Canada Goose
Resource Centres, that offer fabric and materials free of Charge to
Northern Canadians
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA)
• Elimination of tariffs
• Access to sub-national markets
• Non-tariff barriers reduced
• Access for Canadian firms to the EU (500 Million people)
• Access for European firms to NAFTA (440 Million people)
Finnish firms – Shipping, Maritime and Arctic - have much to gain by
establishing a first-to-market investment in Canada
Arctic Ministerial, April 24-25, 2015 - Iqaluit
Photo: Angela Scappatura, Flickr
