Event Date: April 16, 2018 - 13:00 to 16:00
Location: FSS 4007, 120 University Private

Organized in cooperation with the Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDAI)

Non-Arctic states have recently shown interest in the Arctic region, generating opportunities but also fear among Arctic states. Chinese activism in the region attracted the most attention, more negative than positive in Canada. The Chinese Road and Belt initiative, published last year, had an Arctic route as a maritime route to prioritize for future economic development. On other hand, China was a key actor in the agreement to suspend commercial fishing in Arctic international waters for the next 16 years.

China has resources to back its ambition. The circumpolar voyage of the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long last summer highlighted that China has the capabilities to be a key player in the Arctic region. However, we do not know much about its intentions in regards to the region. More specifically for Canada, it is unclear if Chinese Arctic activism will hurt or bolster Canada’s sovereignty claims. We also need to determine the effects it will create on Arctic economic development and the exploitation of natural resources in the Canadian Arctic.

This talk will analyze the opportunities and risks of Chinese Arctic activism for Canada. The conference will be held in English.

Panel 1(1:00-2:30): China’s Arctic policy: What does it mean for Canada?

Chair: Lindsay Rodman, Research Associate, Centre for International Policy Studies

Whitney Lackenbauer is a Professor in the Department of History and co-director of the Centre for Foreign Policy and Federalism at St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo. He is the co-author of the book China’s Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada.

Adam Lajeunesse is the Irving Shipbuilding Chair in Arctic Marine Security at the Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University. He is the co-author of the book China’s Arctic Ambitions and What They Mean for Canada.

Pierre-Louis Têtu is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa. His project, funded by the SSHRC (2017-2019), focus on the Management of Marine Tourism and the development of an environmental and cultural sensitivity index in the Canadian Arctic.

Panel 2 (2:45 – 4:00): Impacts on policies and people

Chair: John Higginbotham, Senior Distinguished Fellow, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs

Brigadier General Mike Nixon is the commander of Joint Task Force North, based in Yellowknife.

Shaleen Woodward is the Deputy Secretary of Indigenous and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Lee Carson is the owner of Norstrat consulting.

Mathieu Landriault is a lecturer at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa. He published articles on public opinion and media on Arctic issues in Canada.

Representative of the Territorial Government of the Northwest Territories.