Canadians Must Assert Control Over the Arctic Now

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Aug 05 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Arctic region has been featured prominently in debates about Canadian
sovereignty and Canadian leaders must assert control over our interests
immediately, says Rob Huebert in a paper released today by the Canadian
International Council (CIC).

"The Arctic has become a more complicated place due to globalization and
the effects of climate change," explains Huebert, one of CIC's inaugural
fellowship recipients. "We need to ensure that all activities occurring
in the Arctic take place in accordance with the protection of all
Canadians and, more specifically, the indigenous peoples of the Arctic.
The link between Canadian Arctic sovereignty and security and the
Canadian population is at the heart of any actions we need to take."

The author argues that if the pursuit of Canadian Arctic sovereignty is
only about Canadian policy experts gaining personal satisfaction from
some sense of control, then it is not worth the effort or expense.
However, if sovereignty is being pursued for the purposes of protecting
the security, safety and well-being of Canadians, then not only is it
worth it, but it is an absolute necessity.

Huebert is a political science professor at the University of Calgary and
one of eight fellows chosen earlier this year by the CIC to contribute
new perspectives and discussion in vital areas of Canadian foreign
policy. The program's initial areas of focus for 2008-09 include the
following: China, Border Issues, Arctic Sovereignty and Security and
Energy.

For more information on the CIC or the selected fellows please visit:
www.canadianinternationalcouncil.org.

The Canadian International Council (CIC) is a non-partisan, nationwide
council established to strengthen Canada's role in international affairs.
With 13 branches nationwide, part of the CIIA national branch network,
CIC seeks to advance research, discussion and debate on international
issues by supporting a Canadian foreign policy network that crosses
academic disciplines, policy areas, and economic sectors. The CIC will
feature a privately funded fellowship program, supported by a network of
issue-specific working groups. Carefully selected CIC fellows will focus
on important foreign policy issues, working out of universities and
research institutions across the country. The CIC was founded in 2007 by
Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM (Research In Motion).

Contacts:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Canadian International Council (CIC)
Neve Peric, Media Relations
(519) 885-2444 ext. 390
Email: nperic@canadianinternationalcouncil.org
Website: www.canadianinternationalcouncil.org

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