Geo of Canada Final - Territorial North
Climate Change
Temperatures are expected to warm more in polar regions than any other regions on Earth. This is due to increased solar radiation absorption that will occur with the loss of ice and snow. Summers are forecasted to be ice-free in the Arctic and Hudson Bay by 2050 The populations of polar bears and caribou will be greatly reduced
Future Goals
-A greener, urban country where the creative class is encouraged and flourishes. - Aboriginal residents become more involved in Canada's prosperity and move toward self-government in Nunavik and other areas. -An even more pluralistic society where any tensions that arise quickly subside. A stronger relationship with US that involves a more open border for which trade relationships can grow and expand. -*creative class = people who are attracted to cities that have progressive and diverse culture -pluralistic society = a society that values multiculturalism* - Regional growth driven by the knowledge-based economy. -A strengthened sense of national identity and unity among all regions. Characteristics of knowledge-based economy: -a large portion of highly educated citizens -a highly urbanized population -a priority on scientific research (with government financial support)
Fur Trade
Demand for the Arctic fox pelt rose in Europe in the early 1900s and this led to the establishment of trading posts in the region. Inuit were heavily involved in the fur trade and by the 1950s it dominated the economy. The continued of Europeans brought measles, smallpox and other communicable diseases for which the inuit had no immunity. Inuit had no immunity to these and hundreds died after early contact.
Megaprojects and Risk
Due to the high cost involved, these projects have an element of risk. How have companies reduced the risk? - arrange for long-term sales of the product at a fixed price before proceeding with construction -obtain government assistance in the form of low-interest loans, subsidies or tax concessions Examples of megaprojects in the North: Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Project, Norman Wells Oil Fields Project, Northwest Territories Diamond Project
Emerging Faultlines
A regional faultline has erupted in recent years regarding the need to reduce the nationwide carbon footprint. The federal government has introduced a policy that required all provinces to have some form of carbon primcing by 2018. This has pitted oil-rich provinces against Ontario and Quebec.
A Strategic Frontier
After World War II, the North served as a buffer zone between the Soviet Union and the rest of North America. In the 1950s, a series of radar stations were constructed along the 70°N line of latitude These were designed to detect Soviet bombers and allow sufficient response time for US fighter planes to destroy them.
Population in the Territorial North
Almost all residents live in a settlement, town or city. Mining sites are not associated with resource towns; instead, workers are flown in from Yellowknife. Most settlements do not classify as urban because their population is below 1000. Approximately 50% of the population lives in an urban area; most of the urban population resides in one of the three capitals. Whitehorse, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Hay River, Iqaluit population = Y, NWT, N
Northwest Territories Diamonds Project
Canada is the 3rd largest producer of diamonds in the world due to two mines in NWT. Diamonds were discovered in the area in 1991. Workers commute to the mines by air on a 14 day in and 14 day out rotation. Diamond production is the backbone of the mining industry in the North with production at $2.1B annually.
Canada's Faultlines
Centralist/Decentralist -has its roots in the struggle for power Aboriginal/Non-Aboriginal -struggles over land, rights, environmental concerns English/French - a consistent faultline spanning a time from the very first settlers to Quebec separatist movements Newcomers/Oldtimers -immigration is changing the face of Canada's major cities
Aboriginal Values
Core Aboriginal values include a strong attachment to the land, country food, and the ethic of sharing. Country food is food that is obtained directly from the land or water by means of hunting or fishing. Hunting is natural to the Inuit but the European Union has banned the import of seal pelts. This is response to what they believe is inhumane killing and it had affected the Inuit economy.
Regional Character
Each of Canada's regions has strengths and weaknesses. Why have they been defined as regions? -manageable sections -identifiable by set of physical features -provincial basis makes it easy to study statistics and census data -commonly used by media
Economy of the Territorial North - 2
Energy and mining (diamonds, tungsten, zinc) are the main commercial elements of the economy. Primary sector industries comprise 15% of all jobs (compared to 4% in the rest of Canada). The economy is based on two major components: 1. Resource extraction 2. Federal transfer payments (referred to as Territorial Formula Financing)
The Northwest Passage
From the time of Frobisher's expedition, many European explorers continued searching for a continuous passage to Asia through the region. Today, this waterway is referred to as the Northwest Passage.
European Exploration
In 1576, Frobisher reached Baffin Island while searching for a route to Asia. A battle ensued between his crew and the Inuit along the caost of a bay. Many of the Inuit there soon succumbed to disease. The community of Frobisher Bay was renamed Iqaluit in 1987.
Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Project
In 1970s, a pipeline to transport natural gas from northern Alaska through Mackenzie River Valley was proposed. The pipeline was rejected due to unresolved Dene land claims in the area, environmental concerns and dropping natural gas prices. A projected future spike in demand for natural gas in the US has led to recent discussions of constructing the pipeline.
Relocation to Settlements
In the 1960s the federal government oversaw the relocation of Aboriginal peoples through out the north to small settlements. Why? 1. It was seen as necessary to protect them from the hardships of living on the land. 2. Concentrating people in settlements allowed federal to provide services efficiently.
Whaling
In the early 1800s, European whalers set sail for Davis Strait and Baffin Bay. As the explorers pushed further west, it became necessary to spend the winter on the nearby land. Here, they met Inuit and trade developed between the two groups. Inuit would hunt and provide meat for the whalers in return for knives and rifles.
Megaprojects in the North
Megaprojects are resource development projects that are controlled by large multinational companies. They often cost more than $1 billion and require several years to complete the construction stage. Since all megaprojects in the North are based on non-renewable resources (diamonds, lead, zinc, copper, iron ore), the developments have a limited life span.
The Future
Most oil and natural gas exports will continue to flow to the U.S. but with increasing amount flowing to Asian countries - BC and Ontario will be gainmore seats in the house of commons for the next federal elections. - Uncertainties relate to how long the boom in the oil industry will continue, the manufacturing industry in Ontario and the impacts of climate change on the territories (copy from slides later).
Climate of the Territorial North
Much of the area is officially classified as a desert because precipitation is less than 250 mm per year. Summers are short and snowfall is possible at any time of the year. In the southern more populated parts of the region, daytime high temperatures often exceed 20 degrees C in July and August Much of the region is located north of the Arctic Circle (the 66.5oN line of latitude) What is the significance of this line? Any location north of it will experience at least one day in a year when the sun does not rise and at least one day when the sun does not set. The aurora borealis are commonly seen at night
Arctic Sovereignty
National boundaries have yet to be determined in much of the Arctic Ocean basin. There is increased urgency to acquire territory and declare sovereignty. Why? - pressure from Russia staking claim of Arctic areas - vast quantities of petroleum lie beneath the Arctic sea floor -climate change may turn the area into a commercial shipping route -200-mile from any coast is up for claim by any country -Russian claim stems from Lomonosov ridge connecting North Pole to Russian mainland - not recognized either It is agreed in the international community that Canada owns the islands of the Arctic archipelago. The ownership of the waterways between the islands is in dispute. The US considers the Northwest Passage an international sea route. In 1988, Brian Mulroney and Reagan signed the Arctic Cooperation Agreement. -*Arctic Cooperation Agreement = US is to always notify Canada before sending ships through the Northwest Passage -Canada is to always give consent* Canada is concerned of the impacts of oil spills from tankers traversing the Northwest Passage. 1985: Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act This act passed by Canada's parliament gives Canada the right to control navigation in its sector of the Arctic Ocean. 2003: UN Convention on the Law of the Sea Coastal countries have the right to control access to their coast within 12 nautical miles. However, some of the islands in the archipelago are separated by more than 50 nautical miles of water.
Impacts of Relocating to Settlements
Positive impacts: -food security -access to medical services -public education Negative impacts: - loss of the traditional culture - reduction of country food in the diet -social issues related to poverty and unemployment
British Columbia
Strength: A culture centred around ecotopia and a growing population with expanding links to the Pacific Rim. Weakness: The forestry industry has stalled because of the US housing market. -*ecotopia = a focus on green living, with emphasis on quality of life and sustainability*
Prairie Provinces
Strength: Contains a wealth of natural resources (oil, potash) and abundant fertile soil. Weakness: A sense of alienation from the core has developed partly due to the actions of past federal governments.
Quebec
Strength: Home to extensive hydroelectric resources and has access to the St. Lawrence River shipping route. Weakness: A consistent recipient of large equalization payments; a struggle to maintain its culture and language in an English dominated continent.
Atlantic Canada
Strength: Offshore petroleum deposits have provided wealth, the fishing industry will likely improve in time. Weakness: A stagnant population due to lack of employment opportunities.
The Territorial North
Strength: Rich in natural resources, a rapidly growing population from natural increase. Weakness: Climate change will dramatically impact region; social problems continue in the settlements.
Ontario
Strength: The most favourable conditions for agriculture, economic growth, industrialization and trade with US. Weakness: The manufacturing economy has an uncertain future due to continued globalization.
Demographics
The Indigenous residents currently have a high birth rate but a low death rate, accounting for high population growth by natural increase. Immigration to the region is minimal When the economy in the region stalls, the non-Indigenous residents are more likely to move to the provinces for job opportunities.
Physical Geography of the Territorial North
The area extends over four of the physiographic regions: Canadian Shield, Interior Plains, Cordillera, and Arctic Archipelago. Vegetation mostly consist of tundra, mosses, grasses, and some shrubs In the Arctic Archipelago, most of the land is bare The region contains many major rivers and thousands of small lakes.
Historical Expansion of the Territories
The area was formerly known as Rupert's Land. Britain declared ownership of this land as a result of early discovery and exploration. Much of the area was granted to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1670. Until World War II, Ottawa generally ignored the land, leaving the Inuit and Dene to trade fur and live off the land.
Economy of the Territorial North - 1
The economic performance of the region is limited to non-renewable resources. This makes the region vulnerable to sharp fluctuations in both prices and global demand for its exports. Historically, the economy has been subject to boom-and-bust cycles
Canada and the Global Economy
The entry of China into the World Trade Organization in 2001 had impacts on the Canadian economy: -manufacturing sectors eroded ;low-cost chinese goods have become more common. -resource industries expanded to meet demand from China Over the last 10 years, the manufacturing base in Canada has contracted. Offshore relocation continues because of wage differentials between Canada and other countries. Unemployment peaked in 2009. Because Canada has a heavy dependency on exports to US, strength of Canadian economy often mirrors US economy. Economic Sectors: -primary = activities concerned with extraction of natural resources (fishing, farming, forestry, mining) -secondary = activities that process/assemble raw materials (auto manufacturing, meat packing, paper making) -tertiary = activities involving sale/exchange of goods or services (retail, healthcare, education, law) -quaternary = activities involving processing of knowledge that leads to decision making by companies and governments (eg. research centers)
Life in Settlements
The main source of income is from government assistance. Aboriginal settlements in the North have the highest rates of suicide and alcoholism in Canada. Since few Aboriginal families have abandoned settlement life in favour of living off the land, the positive impacts are seen as outweighing the negative impacts.
Nunavut
The name means "our land" in Inuktitut. The territory was established in 1999 out of a land settlement agreement between Canada and Inuit of the eastern Arctic. Inuit established public form of government (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents have equal political rights). One goal of the government is to promote Inuit culture and the Inuktitut language
Norman Wells Oil Fields Project
The pipeline extends from Norman Wells, NWT to northern Alberta and was completed in 1985. Output from the Norman Wells oil fields has approached 2 million m3 annually. The project has been successful in meeting its objective (shipping oil to southern markets). A warming climate could present challenges as permafrost melts are causing ground subsidence.
A Nation of Regions
The sheer size of Canada requires us to divide it into manageable regions. This is not the case for many countries and thus this presents an added challenge for governance. Political decisions that address these regional differences are necessary. Negotiation and compromise are hallmarks of these decisions. A region is a distinctive area of Earth's surface. It has distinguishing human/natural characteristics that set it apart from other areas. The boundaries of regions are related to faultlines. These are not physical fault lines; instead, they are differences between two different areas whether it be geographical, cultural, etc. Uniform region: -all locations in the region have similarities in a particular characteristic eg. grasslands Functional region: -interactions among different areas within the region eg. the urban part of the region and the periphery Cultural region: -based on sense of belonging where there is bond between people and region Canada's strength lies in its ability to reconcile cultural and regional disputes. Equalization payments have been designed to ensure a consistent standard of living across Canada. The future of these payments is heavily dependent on presumed improvement of the Ontario economy. For years, the federal government has depended on tax revenue from Ontario to fund the equalization payments. Payments are sent to the province whose fiscal capacity is below the national standard. Fiscal Capacity: Ability of the province to raise revenue
Spatial Framework
The spatial framework consists of: Core regions (Ontario, Quebec) Three types of hinterlands: Upward transitional (BC, Prairie Provinces) Downward transitional (Atlantic Canada) Resource frontier (Territorial North) Frameworks are not rigid; they can always be adjusted. -aka heartland/hinterland model = based on theory that capitalism results in regionally uneven development -both parts depend on each other but core (industrial heartland) dominates economic relationship with its periphery (resource hinterland). Core: -receive raw materials from periphery -manufacturing is common industry -diverse economy -geographically small -urban and densely populated Periphery: -purchase finished goods from core -resource-based economy -geographically large -rural and sparsely populated Core Periphery: -population decreases -median income decreases -unemployment increases How did current core become core? -staples thesis = regional economic history of Canada was linked to discovery, utilization and export of staple resources in Canada's vast frontier. It was expected that eventually, economic diversification would take place, making peripheral regions less reliant on primary resources. -National Policy of 1879 Economic Linkages for Growth Backward linkage: Supplies for staple industry (eg. saws and tools for forest industry) Forward linkage: local processing before export (eg. squaring timber before shipment) Final demand linkage: service needs of workers and families (general stores, schools, etc.)
Transportation
There are few transportation routes in the region due to high cost of construction and the sparse population. Nunavut does not have any highways. Mining companies have lobbied the federal government for roads to their sites. A number of winter roads connect some mining sites with year-round highways. -*winter road = temporary 'roads' over frozen lakes and rivers during the winter to provide ground transportation for freight*
Historical Peoples of the Territorial North
There are generally two groups of indigenous peoples that have inhabited the North: Inuit and Dene. Inuit settlements are often located along coasts. They have historically hunted seals, whales, walrus and fish. Dene historically hunted caribou with bows and arrows in the boreal forest.
Air Commuting
This has proven to be an effective way to obtain skilled workers from the provinces to work for resource projects in the North. However, it negatively impacts the economy of the North. Why? 1. Workers spend their wages in their home communities in the provinces. 2. Workers pay income tax to provincial rather than territorial governments.
A Sense of Place
What do geographers believe? In spite of claims to the contrary, it is not religion or language or race that is the dominant feature of civilization. It is place. SUMMARY OF COURSE A sense of place involves psychological bond between people and their location. These stem from physical landscape of area, human activities and institutional bodies. It recognizes that collective experiences have led to shared aspirations, concerns, goals and values. Strong senses of place in Canada are particularly evident in Atlantic Canada and Prairies.
Governing the Region
What is the difference between a province and a territory? Provinces receive their powers as outlined in the Constitution of 1867 Territories exercise delegated powers under the watch of federal government Territories do not have control over their natural resources and heavily depend on the federal government for transfer payments.
Impacts of Megaprojects
While megaprojects create development in the region, they are not necessarily beneficial to the specific region in which they are located. Why? - the construction equipment and supplies are manufactured outside the region -they have a negative impact on landscape -many workers are from outside the region
General
Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut represent Canada's last frontier. It is a region rich in natural resources but slow to develop. Of the 6 regions in Canada, it is the largest in area but the smallest in population. It is one of the most sparsely populated areas on Earth. Indigenous peoples make up the majority of the population
