Canada currently claims the Northwest Passage as part of its territorial waters, but this assertion is being contested by the US and European Union, which want it recognized as an international strait so that they can have unfettered access for their own commercial interests, such as oil and gas exploration. This standoff, Paskal suggests, could prod Canada to explore a strategic relationship with Russia, which has its own designs on the Arctic. Meanwhile, China is knocking at Canada's door, eager to purchase a slice of the country's abundant natural resources. In a 'stateless' Northwest Passage, Russia and China could end up being the big players, especially if they forge stronger economic ties to Canada. This potential development, Paskal argues, poses a long-term security risk to the EU and US.
Will we be fighting off the yanks with our Chinese and Russian brothers? Sounds unlikely, but threatened protectionist measures against the tar sands already seem to have a "lets take Chinese money to build a pipe-line to the West coast and sell them our dirty oil" sentiment among prairie conservatives. And I do so love their honey buns.
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As Gwynne Dyer notes in "Climate Wars", when it comes to global warming, every nation's greatest threat comes from that country immediately between it and the equator. Let's see, what state stands immediately between Canada and the equator? Shit, and the hillbillies have all the guns! Let's hope they don't realize that their southern aquifers are running on empty.
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