PAST EVENT | Arthur J.E. Child POP-UP Policy
Thin ice: Navigating Canadian Arctic sovereignty
Thursday, March 6, 2025
2 pm-3 pm CT
Manitoba Club | Winnipeg
EVENT SPONSORS
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Although the subject of Arctic Sovereignty has yet to make an appearance on President Trump’s agenda, experts fear it is only a matter of time – especially given his focus on Greenland.
The U.S. and Canada have had long-standing disagreements over the Northwest Passage, with Canada maintaining the waters are internal based on international convention and the U.S. maintaining the Passage is international waters. This agree-to-disagree state of affairs will likely to come to an end, or at least under a microscope, with a Trump administration.
What’s a country to do?
For one – start to prepare now instead of waiting for the inevitable Tweet. We invite you to join experts Erin O’Toole, Jessica Shadian and Major General (Ret’d) Colin Keiver to discuss Canada’s claim to the Arctic, reasons for renewed interest in Arctic waters and actions Canada can take to defend its northern border from foreign interests.
VIDEO
DISCUSSANTS
Erin O’Toole
President and Managing Director, ADIT North America
Erin O’Toole is the President and Managing Director of ADIT North America, a globally integrated risk advisory firm specializing in strategic intelligence, international trade, due diligence, security and compliance. He is one of Canada’s most respected thought leaders on geopolitical and domestic policy issues from his decade of service as a Member of the Canadian Parliament and Leader of the Official Opposition.
Jessica Shadian
President and CEO of Arctic360
Dr. Jessica Shadian is President and CEO of Arctic360, Canada’s Arctic think tank that works with Indigenous corporations and Northern governments, the federal government, the private sector, Arctic leaders and other institutions around the circumpolar region. Her 2014 book: The Politics of Arctic Sovereignty: Oil, Ice, and Inuit Governance (Routledge) is the first in-depth history of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) and Inuit sovereignty in global politics reaching back to pre-European discovery.
Major General (Ret’d) Colin Keiver
Major General (Ret’d) Colin Keiver is a military officer with long and distinguished career in strategic and tactical airlift and search and rescue, and staff roles including Defence Program Coordination, Director General of Air and Space Force Development, and finally as the deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, a position he held until July 2023.
MODERATOR
Hon. Gary Mar
CEO and President, Canada West Foundation
Hon. Gary Mar is an accomplished and respected leader with expertise in the Canada West Foundation’s key focus areas of resources, environment and economy, trade and trade infrastructure and skills, innovation and productivity. He was a member of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly where he held several cabinet portfolios and was Alberta’s Official Representative at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C and in Asia.