Oil from ice : examining the impact of energy development on Canadian Arctic sovereignty

Abstract

The Canadian Arctic is facing new international challenges as global warming melts Arctic ice, opening up new shipping routes and access to untapped, potentially rich resources. As it has in the past, Canada is turning to defense spending to help strengthen its sovereignty in the region. Sovereignty is a multi-dimensional concept which requires a state to demonstrate control over its territory and its citizens. Developing Arctic energy resources is one pathway for Canada to achieve greater control in the region and strengthen its sovereignty claim. This thesis considers realist and liberal policy approaches to the development of Canada’s Arctic energy resources. In the past, Canada has used both approaches to encourage the development of its Arctic energy reserves. From the 1950s to the early 1970s Canada relied solely on private companies to explore and produce Arctic resources. Between 1975 and 1984 Canada took a more interventionist approach. In 1975, Petro-Canada was created to help stimulate the development of Arctic resources. One of Petro-Canada’s primary goals was to act as a catalyst for private energy companies operating in the Arctic.

This thesis seeks to expand upon the literature discussing Canadian Arctic sovereignty. By examining the impact of the two energy approaches on state sovereignty, this study draws a series of conclusion about the role of energy development in improving Canada’s sovereignty claim. This thesis argues that government intervention is required to develop working partnerships amongst Canadian oil producers in order to bring Arctic energy reserves online in a timely and efficient manner to help bolster Canada’s sovereignty claim.

This thesis considers realist and liberal policy approaches to the development of Canada’s Arctic energy resources. In the past, Canada has used both approaches to encourage the development of its Arctic energy reserves. From the 1950s to early 1970s Canada relied solely on private companies to explore and produce Arctic resources. Between 1975 and 1984 Canada took a more interventionist approach. In 1975, Petro-Canada was created to help stimulate the development of Arctic resources. One of Petro-Canada’s primary goals was to act as a catalyst for private energy companies operating in the Arctic.

This thesis seeks to expand upon the literature discussing Canadian Arctic sovereignty. By examining the impact of the two energy approaches on state sovereignty, this study draws a series of conclusion about the role of energy development in improving Canada’s sovereignty claim. This thesis argues that government intervention is required to develop working partnerships amongst Canadian oil producers in order to bring Arctic energy reserves online in a timely and efficient manner to help bolster Canada’s sovereignty claim.