OTTAWA – New Democrats today welcomed the federal government’s policy shift in the arctic and called for further cooperation among Arctic countries and engagement with Northerners.

“Today’s announcement marks a major shift from the Conservatives’ confrontational posture on the Arctic,” said New Democrat Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre). “Conservatives are late-comers to cooperation and engagement – but better late than never.”

Up to now, the government’s narrow-minded rhetoric had caused concern among our Arctic partners to the point that US Secretary of State Clinton walked out on a planned press conference with Minister Cannon.

“Sovereignty doesn't mean laying claim on something – it means investment in the people who live there, being engaged and being present,” said New Democrat Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic). “We will look to ensure that this new policy statement will mean actual engagement with the aboriginal people of the North. For example the dispute over the Beaufort Sea involves the constitutionally protected rights of the Inuvialuit—the Inuit of the Western Arctic.”

New Democrats pointed out that the Conservatives have been quick to make announcements on the Arctic but slow to do any actual work. For example, the long-promised armed super-icebreakers have been scaled back and repeatedly delayed.

“We can't take this policy statement seriously if change does not materialize,” concluded Dewar. “Canadians demand greater transparency, cooperation with Arctic countries and engagement with people who live in the region.”