Arctic

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's oceans, yet it covers over 9 million square kilometres and has an average depth of 1,330 metres.

The Arctic is is almost completely surrounded by three continents. Canada is one of 8 countries that border the Arctic. The others are the Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and United States.

Dominated by ice cover, the Arctic Ocean contains less than 10 percent as much marine life as other great bodies of salt water, yet it still supports a complex food web. Arctic ice is so vast in winter that a polar bear could walk almost 1,000 kilometres from Greenland to Norway's Svalbard Islands. Polynyas, areas of open water surrounded by ice, provide critical habitat for migrating waterfowl. In addition to the many varied species of water foul, the Arctic waters are home to polar bears and many different species of whales, seals, and fish.

Marine transportation in the Arctic is largely seasonal tug and barge operations. The Canadian Coast Guard operates a fleet of Ice Breakers that are capable of extended operations in the Arctic. The Canadian Forces patrol the Arctic with Aurora and Arcturus aircraft. A variety of surface, sub-surface and airbourne survailance equipment is also used to monitor activity in the forbidding Arctic Waters.

The Port of Churchill, located on the west coast of Hudson's Bay, is Canada's northernmost port and provides links to the Atlantic and Arctic from July until November.

In detail:
Climate Change and Canadian Sovereignty in the Northwest Passage
- Dr. Rob Huebert (Published in ISUMA)