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We are a northern country: Stephen Harper and the Canadian Arctic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 September 2010

Klaus Dodds
Klaus Dodds*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX (K.Dodds@rhul.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Two Canadian Speeches from the Throne (2007, 2010) form the centrepiece of this brief analysis of Stephen Harper and his government's approach towards the Arctic. In essence, it is argued that a form of actionism prevails; a preference for being seen to be taking action in the face of apparent uncertainly regarding the Arctic and the activities of other stakeholders. Unpinned by what Michael Billig termed ‘habit of language’, this note considers how Prime Minister Harper mobilises domestic political support for this proposals. However, it is a risky strategy. As the 2010 meeting of the five Arctic Ocean coastal states revealed, other stakeholders such as the United States in the form of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly rebuked Canada for attempting to limit participation in talks about the future of the Arctic.

Type
Notes
Information
Polar Record , Volume 47 , Issue 4 , October 2011 , pp. 371 - 374
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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