Canada Says "It's Mine, Bitches!"

Russia had better back off of the North Pole, because Canada is saying that the Arctic belongs to them. They are currently planning on building two military bases, one in Resolute Bay, and another in Nanisivik.

With global warming heating things up, a lot of interest is being shown to the disputed areas that may, in the future, become more than huge hunks of ice.

The Northwest Passage is garnering a lot of interest, with Canadians claiming sovereignty and the rest of the international world disputing Canada's ownership of the waterway. Soon, though, Canadian presence will not be denied.

While general ownership rights to a shipping channel or seabed may seem like easy terms to negotiate and get over, there is also the matter of what is lying in wait under the ice shelves and sea floor.

With Russians planting flags on the seabed, Canada planning on establishing a military presence in the Arctic, and an assload of sweetly precious oil and gas reserves waiting to be plucked while the international community eyes it greedily, the Arctic might just be heating up because of more than climate change.

More melting and more oil ?

This is the only "hybrid" car I'm going to need.

Hmm. This has some potential for confusion.

From my understanding, the area Russia planted the flag is considerered international waters by pretty much everyone. The Canadian government doesn't dispute this. However the feeling now is "WTF Russia?" so everyone is getting a little nervous. I haven't heard anything to indicate Canada is trying to say that area belongs to them.

Some areas of the North West Passage, however, are under dispute. Canada considers them Internal waters, the US considers them Territorial waters, and others think they are international.

This is somewhere different from where Russia put its flag.

Am I wrong here? DhD_PillowPant doesn't say anything to contradict this, but I can see how pretty much anyone could get confused on this matter.

Their claim comes from the idea that the Arctic is connected to their continental shelf, but so are most places. It's feckin' Eurasia. If they don't own China and Mongolia, what makes them think they have a claim over the Arctic?

Canada's plan to build military bases is surprising though - I'd expect this kind of thing from the Kremlin, but for some reason I thought Canada would just keep their claims over the Arctic at the 'petty theoretical arguing' level. It's surprising that they're being so forceful in trying to claim something that is so blatantly not currently a part of anyone's territory. If Canada start claiming it's connected to their continental shelf, then I look forward to Mexico claiming ownership of Canada.

I for one, can't wait for the Penguin - Polar Bear War of 2024

Thank god for NATO, eh?

I think it should go to the first person to drive to the North Pole...

I think all the weird shit going on in Russia lately is just a ploy to make NATO seem relevant again.

Um... hello people! There are only two people with legitimate claims on the North Pole:
Santa Claus and Superman!

What about Jesus?

when did he go to the north pole?

IDK, I thought he was supposed to be every where....

Jesus doesn't like the cold. Actually, that's why he invented Santa Claus (he's a robot), to fight Superman. Why? Superman tries to bring peace to the world and peace is the antichrist.

My logic is undeniable!

I like the way you think.