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Testing the waters

With ballots barely counted and campaign signs still stuck in snow banks, David Wilkins, the U.S ambassador to Canada, was ready to start testing the waters of U.S./Canada relations with prime minister designate Stephen Harper. Wilkins stated his government's opposition to Harper's election promises to begin actions to assert Canadian sovereignty over the Arctic, particularly over the disputed waters of the Northwest Passage.

Wilkins insists that Canada is causing a fuss over nothing and stated that it is well known that the U.S., and many other countries, do not recognize Canada's claim to the waters. Harper quickly defended Canada's right to defend what it claims to be its territory and dismissed the possibility of the U.S. dictating decisions pertaining to Canadian sovereignty.

As arctic ice recedes, scientists are scrambling to determine how soon the icy waters will open up and ships are looking to the Northwest Passage as a viable shipping shortcut. If deemed an international strait, the delicate ecosystem of the Passage would become vulnerable under lax international laws. How should Canada proceed on the issue? Do you think our claim is legitimate? What would the loss of sovereignty mean for Canada? Tell us what you think.

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