Toward a new Arctic Policy Framework
Current status: Closed
The process started in April 2017 and input from the public will be accepted until the end of February 2018.
On this page
Why
On December 20, 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that a new Arctic Policy Framework will be co-developed in collaboration with Indigenous, territorial and provincial partners to replace Canada's Northern Strategy (2009) and the Statement on Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy (2010).
This process builds on the commitments made in the US-Canada Joint Arctic Leaders' Statement and will be informed by Mary Simon's reports from the Shared Arctic Leadership Model Engagement. The Government of Canada recognizes the extensive work that has already been undertaken by our key partners in developing the priorities for their respective regions. This process will build upon rather than replace this important work.
Who
The Government of Canada will work collaboratively with territories, provinces and Indigenous groups to identify and build a long-term vision to 2030 for the Canadian and circumpolar Arctic.
A whole-of-government approach involving many departments and agencies from across the Government of Canada will contribute to this process. This will involve working within established timelines to undertake joint planning, drafting and analysis in setting priorities and strategies for Canada in the Arctic.
The Government of Canada will reach out to national Indigenous organizations and will organize regional roundtables to seek the input of local Indigenous groups. Other opportunities for input will also be provided.
Input from all interested parties will also be welcomed.
What
Canada is an Arctic nation and it recognizes that the Arctic region requires shared leadership. As the federal government determines its priorities for the coming years, it will work closely with Arctic residents and governments to ensure their views and priorities are at the forefront of policy decisions affecting the future of the Canadian Arctic and Canada's role in the circumpolar Arctic. The new federal policy framework will be developed to reorganize and reprioritize federal activities in the Arctic. The framework is intended to increase partnerships and collaboration between the federal government, Indigenous peoples and territorial and provincial governments.
The framework will apply to:
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Inuit Nunangat
- the Nunatsiavut region in Labrador
- the territory of Nunavik in Quebec
- northern Manitoba, including Churchill
A number of themes have been identified, which may be refined through discussions with our partners:
- comprehensive Arctic infrastructure
- strong Arctic people and communities
- strong, sustainable and diversified Arctic economies
- Arctic science and Indigenous knowledge
- protecting the environment and conserving Arctic biodiversity
- the Arctic in a global context
This process will be informed by the reports by Mary Simon from the Shared Arctic Leadership Model Engagement as well as the following Arctic Leadership Model objectives:
- conserving Arctic biodiversity through science-based decision making
- incorporating Arctic science and traditional knowledge into decision-making
- building a sustainable Arctic economy
- supporting strong Arctic communities
Other priorities fundamental to Arctic residents, as well as matters raised in written and oral submissions received during regional roundtables and online, will be considered in the development of Canada's new Arctic Policy Framework.
Through this process, the Government of Canada is seeking to identify:
- the vision and priorities of our key domestic partners to 2030
- current gaps and challenges that should be addressed in the new Arctic Policy Framework
- opportunities for partnerships with Indigenous groups, territorial and provincial governments and others (such as industry, academia, Arctic and non-Arctic states)
- opportunities to link existing federal government initiatives with the implementation of Canada's new Arctic Policy Framework
While the new Arctic Policy Framework will inform decisions in the Canadian and circumpolar Arctic, the Government of Canada retains the decision-making authority for matters related to Canadian defence, foreign policy and other issues of national interest.
When and where
The regional round table meetings are by invitation only but you can still participate in other ways.
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| October 4, 2017 | Churchill, Manitoba |
| October 11, 2017 | Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| October 12, 2017 | Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| October 30 to 31, 2017 | Kuujjuaq, Quebec |
| November 2, 2017 | Iqaluit, Nunavut |
| November 8 to 9, 2017 | Inuvik, Northwest Territories |
| December 13 to 14, 2017 | Whitehorse, Yukon |
| January 17, 2018 | Yellowknife, Northwest Territories |
| February 5, 2018 | Ottawa, Ontario, Extractive industries |
| February 6, 2018 | Ottawa, Ontario, Innovators and other industry |
| February 7, 2018 | Ottawa, Ontario, Non-governmental organizations |
| February 8, 2018 | Ottawa, Ontario, Natural, theoretical and applied sciences |
| February 9, 2018 | Ottawa, Ontario, Social sciences and humanities |
| February 13, 2018 | Toronto, Ontario |
| February 14 to 21, 2018 | Online (Youth virtual roundtables) |
| March 15, 2018 | Thompson, Manitoba |
How to participate
Tell us what Canada can do to support a strong, prosperous and sustainable Arctic. There are several ways to participate:
- attend a regional roundtable discussion (by invitation only)
- read the discussion guide and send a letter to the address in Contact us
- read the discussion guide and send your answer in an email to ArctiqueEnsemble-ArcticTogether@canada.ca
- send a tweet using the hashtag #ArcticTogether
Videos
- Strong Arctic Peoples and Communities
- Regional roundtable: Iqaluit, Nunavut (video 1)
- Regional roundtable: Iqaluit, Nunavut (video 2)
- Arctic Science and Indigenous Knowledge
- Regional roundtable: Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Arctic Policy Framework – Live, work, play
- Comprehensive Arctic Infrastructure
Related links
- Find out more about the Government of Canada's programs, services and activities in the North
Contact us
Arctic Policy Framework
15 rue Eddy, 14th floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0H4