Letters

An inaccuracy about Canada

On May 6, 2010, your newspaper published on its front page an interview with Qu Tanzhou, director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, in which it was mentioned that "Canada has asked China to build an Arctic research station". Please allow me to clarify that although Canada highly values international collaboration on Arctic issues, Canada did not invite China, nor any other country, to build a research station in the Canadian Arctic.

Canada's Arctic makes up over 40 percent of our landmass and is home to more than 100,000 Canadians. It is an essential part of our national identity and an area of growing importance in the development of our country. The Government of Canada exercises its Arctic sovereignty responsibly and is dedicated to ensuring that the international spotlight stays focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the region. Canada has been at the forefront in the negotiation of international environmental instruments that address critical issues such as pollution and the need to protect and preserve our unique Arctic environment. With its Arctic neighbors, Canada has also taken steps to ensure that economic and social development is sustainable and benefits Arctic inhabitants. Real efforts have been made to ensure that decisions affecting Northerners, including indigenous peoples, involve the communities themselves.