Protecting the Arctic and Our Northern Communities
WHITEHORSE--Elizabeth May will be in Whitehorse this weekend to unveil the Green Party of Canada Northern Strategy, focused on protecting the Arctic ecosystem, safeguarding Arctic sovereignty, and improving the lives of northern residents. “The Arctic is a stunningly beautiful and unique environment,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of Canada’s Greens. “The Inuit and northern First Nations peoples have been facing serious challenges and now face the additional burden of being on the front line of climate change impacts. A key part of our strategy is to listen to and draw upon the northern voices.” The Green Party of Canada would see that ongoing reinforcement of Canada’s Arctic sovereignty be achieved primarily through supporting community infrastructure development, regional sustainability, health, northern research and northern culture.
Concerns over melting sea ice are mounting as 2008 saw the lowest ice volume on record, causing scientists to revise their estimates and project that summer sea ice will be gone in the next 5 to 10 years (a drastic revision from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007 report which predicted summer Arctic sea ice would melt in the next 50 to 100 years). Also in 2008, the US Geological Survey estimated that the Arctic holds 23% of the world reserves of oil and gas.
“It is a dark irony that the global use of fossil fuels is melting the Arctic, which in turn is providing access to the last great storehouse of oil and gas,” said John Streicker, Green Party candidate for the Yukon. “It will be of utmost importance to safeguard the health and well-being of the North, not only for those of us that make our home here, but also because the Arctic regulates the climate of the entire planet. Unfortunately, what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic.”
The Green Party would seek a constructive multilateral Arctic maritime treaty, negotiated through the Arctic Council, to regulate all maritime activity in the Arctic, with the exception of traditional aboriginal activity. The Party’s strategy also calls for the creation of an internationally recognized Arctic Protected Zone where no mineral exploration will be permitted by any country, similar to the internationally recognized Antarctic Protected Area.
“The Green Party would like to see real action taken with the tri-Territory Northern Vision, which commits to helping the North realize its true potential as a healthy and prosperous region within a strong and sovereign Canada,” said May. “The northern tradition of respect for the land must form the basis of our decisions and actions, maintaining the principles of responsible and sustainable development. And it is about time we honour the intent of our Land Claims Agreements,” she added.
Other points in the Green Party’s comprehensive strategy include:
• Advocate for the Arctic Council to be the primary forum for the diplomatic resolution of Arctic territorial disputes and the negotiation of multilateral treaties, thus allowing for the formal participation of Territorial and Indigenous leaders.
• Extend Canada’s sovereignty of Arctic sub-sea resources through a submission to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• Expand funding for Arctic research, including support for and recognition of traditional knowledge.
Elizabeth May and John Streicker will host a public talk and press release on Friday, a fundraising dinner on Saturday and a family picnic on Sunday.
-30-
Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916
michael.bernard@greenparty.ca
Itinerary:
Whitehorse: Elizabeth May & John Streicker will hold a press conference to announce the Greens’ Northern Strategy
When: 4:00 pm, Friday, 21 August.
Location: Green Party Headquarters 502 Wood Street (2 short blocks from the Goldrush Inn)
Whitehorse: Public talk by Elizabeth May on "Real Democracy for Canada"
When: 7:30 pm, Friday, 21 August.
Where: Old Firehall, First Avenue, Whitehorse
Whitehorse: Taste Globally, Eat Locally. Jamaican Feast Fundraising Dinner with Elizabeth May
Join John Streicker, Green Party candidate for the Yukon, and the Yukon Federal Green Party Association, for a memorable evening with Elizabeth May and a Jamaican feast featuring northern foods, by Jonathon Peterson. Entertainment by Yukon musicians.
Where: Grey Mountain Room, Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre
When: Saturday, 22 August, 6:00 p.m.
Tickets $100 (tax receipt issued for non-meal portion of the ticket). Contact Mike at 633.6334 for tickets.
Whitehorse: Family Picnic with Elizabeth May
Join Elizabeth May and John Streicker, Green Party candidate for the Yukon, at a BBQ Picnic Lunch.
When: Sunday, 23 August, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Rotary Park
BBQ by donation
Lots of fun + Lots of games = Lots of conversation. All welcome.
