Conservative Diplomatic Incompetence Undermining Arctic Governance Unity

OTTAWA -- Conservatives have learned nothing from the Arctic diplomatic fiasco of the last few days, defending in the media the two-tier Arctic governance approach that backfired so spectacularly.

This week’s Arctic Council meeting was surrounded in controversy over the Conservative government’s decision to only invite five of the member states of the Arctic Council to high level meetings (Canada, the United States, Russia, Norway and Denmark), while leaving out Sweden, Finland and Iceland and failing to invite indigenous groups. 

“By sowing disunity within the Arctic Council, Canada is creating the risk that other nations will take advantage of this confusion to stake their own claim to Arctic development opportunities,” said Eric Walton, International Affairs Critic. 

John Streicker, Green Arctic and Northern Affairs Critic agreed, “By sidelining indigenous Canadian representation, the Conservatives undercut a strong Canadian sovereignty argument - not to mention the disrespect it shows towards the indigenous peoples’ legitimate place at the Arctic table.”

“The Conservatives are undermining Canadian Arctic sovereignty through their diplomatic incompetence,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “"Canada was once a leader in advocacy for Arctic governance. Mr. Harper's stone-walling in the House cannot mask that Canada has lost its way."

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also criticized the Canadian government for their failure to be inclusive at this important meeting.

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