Part II – Securing Sovereignty from Within
The first part of this series examined Canada’s diplomatic outreach and military reinforcement as essential pillars in asserting sovereignty over the Northwest Passage (NWP). Yet, securing control over the Arctic requires more than external signaling or defence posture. This second part turns to the internal dimensions of national strategy - public mobilization and economic development. These elements are critical for anchoring Canada’s Arctic policy in civic legitimacy and material presence. By cultivating public ownership of the NWP and investing in infrastructure and sustainable growth, Ottawa can reinforce its claims through both national resolve and economic integration.
Public mobilization
National support is critical to sustaining sovereignty efforts. Yet, the NWP remains abstract to many Canadians, overshadowed by domestic concerns (1). The Government of Canada must bridge this gap, fostering a sense of ownership over the Arctic. Public campaigns could take varied forms: town halls in major cities in southern Canada explaining the NWP’s strategic value, documentaries highlighting Inuit contributions to Canada’s northern identity, or social media initiatives targeting younger audiences (2). Community events in the North, like cultural showcases, could ground the issue locally.
Historical examples reveal how state-led civic engagement campaigns can shape national consciousness and reinforce territorial claims, particularly in contested geopolitical spaces. In some cases, governments have strategically used education, media, and cultural diplomacy to consolidate public consensus on issues of sovereignty - transforming abstract geographic disputes into matters of identity and collective memory. While the political systems and rhetorical strategies differ, such approaches underscore a universal truth: territorial legitimacy is not only asserted through legal argument or military posture but also through sustained domestic affirmation. For Canada, fostering a similar civic foundation through curriculum reform, documentary storytelling, and national dialogue could entrench public ownership of the Northwest Passage as a sovereign space. Grounding Arctic sovereignty in cultural legitimacy and public memory would complement diplomatic and defence efforts, reinforcing Canada’s claims from within.
Economic development
The NWP’s strategic importance is matched by its economic potential. As Arctic routes open, global shipping firms' eye shorter paths between Asia and Europe (3). Canada, however, lacks the infrastructure (ports, roads, and railways) to link the NWP to southern markets (4). Without investment, Ottawa forfeits revenue and weakens its territorial claim.
Building northern infrastructure is a priority. Establishing deep-water ports along the NWP would support trade and assert control (5). Supply depots could sustain maritime traffic, creating local jobs. Yet, the Arctic’s sparse population limits progress. Canada could address this by working in partnership with Indigenous governments to incentivize sustainable community development and economic activity in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon through targeted investments, housing support, and workforce development programs. Tax breaks, housing subsidies, and training programs might attract workers, including immigrants eager for opportunity. Historical migrations, like the Klondike gold rush, show how economic promise drives growth (6).Ottawa could replicate this pull, tailored to modern needs and socio-economic responsibilities.
Private and international investment is equally vital. Canada should court firms in shipping, mining, or renewable energy - Japan, Germany, or South Korea, for instance, value stable trade corridors. Russia’s success in securing UAE funds for Arctic projects proves such partnerships are feasible (7). Ottawa could offer tax incentives or streamlined permits to draw capital, ensuring projects align with environmental and Indigenous priorities. A developed North solidifies Canada’s presence, making its sovereignty tangible.
Conclusion
The Arctic’s future is unfolding rapidly. Ice retreat and rising stakes demand action. The United States under new leadership since January 2025, may prioritize its own Arctic ambitions, complicating ties with Ottawa. Canada faces trade and financial frictions with Washington, but the NWP dispute overshadows them all (8). Senator Poirier’s 1907 call to claim the Arctic resonates; a reminder that hesitation invites others to shape the rules.
Ottawa’s strategy must integrate four dimensions. Diplomatic outreach aligns allies and clarifies the stakes. Military upgrades deter challenges while signaling resolve. Public mobilization builds national will, rooting the NWP in Canada’s identity. Economic investment strengthens the Arctic as a dynamic and strategically integrated region, reinforcing Ottawa’s authority and long-term presence. Together, these steps counter the risk of misalignment with the U.S. and beyond. Failure to act could cede not just the NWP but North America’s northern security. Canada has the tools, now it must use them.
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Abbas Qaidari is an independent international security analyst based in British Columbia, and former senior fellow at the Center for Strategic Studies. His analyses have appeared in High North News, Policy Options, Al-Monitor, the Atlantic Council and many U.S. based platforms.
E: Qaidariabbas@gmail.com
X: https://x.com/AbbasQaidari
PART II REFERENCES:
(1) https:/gordonfoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/APO_Survey_Volume-2_WEB.pdf
(2) https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100014187/1534785248701
(3) https://arcticportal.org/shipping-portlet/shipping-routes
(4) https://www.stantec.com/en/ideas/topic/mobility/connecting-canadian-arctic-through-infrastructure-indigenous-knowledge
(5) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/grays-bay-port-arctic-road-1.7249708
(6) https://www.nps.gov/klgo/learn/goldrush.htm
(7) https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/expanding-horizons-uaes-strategic-foray-arctic/
(8) https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/a-us-canada-trade-shock-first-economic-takeaways/