An icy standoff

It's the stuff of lore for many Canadians. But the fabled Northwest Passage doesn't make it on the mental map of the average U.S. citizen - or at least not until now.

The new jolt for Americans is that the CIA, ordinarily associated with super spy issues, is refocusing attention on the Arctic region as a potentially "hot area." The agency is reportedly routinely monitoring the Arctic's rapidly shrinking ice cap, and sharing spy satellite photos with climate-change scientists.

Along with increasing ice melt and the opening of sea lanes has come interest in the region's resource potential. But while organizations such as Fox News are reportedly criticizing the CIA for spending time otherwise than chasing terrorists, there are others who say security is indeed what's at stake here. Recent indications that Russia is showing interest in the area would tend to back that up.

While most Canadians aren't likely to revive a red scare anytime soon, there is no doubt that our neighbour up and over the Arctic circle is indeed looking at possible mineral wealth.

Robert Huebert, an international relations professor at the University of Calgary, in a recent report from The Canadian Press spoke of the increasing military involvement. For countries touching Arctic waters, add that to the great economic interest.

But where Russia and Canada are concerned, both claim channels between their islands as internal waters, requiring permission to enter. The U.S., on the other hand, argues they are international straits.

Huebert emphasizes that Canada has to prove to the U.S. it can also protect American interests in the Arctic where security is concerned.

The federal government has been making progress toward expressing Canada's interests and determination to maintain sovereignty. That has seen increasing presence there, with vessels, personnel and year-round ports. And we hope that stewardship will be as much of a goal as any perceived economic benefits.

It's a long-haul project, and one without a huge profile. But it's critical, and one of those jobs that, if we don't do it, someone will do it for us.