Arctic360

Global geopolitical uncertainty is the new normal. For the Arctic region it is shifting the ground beneath North American Arctic cooperationand strengthening the existing Nordic Arctic cooperation. Arctic geopolitics is central to Canada’s security and defence and Canada’s Arctic is integral to the collective security of our Arctic allies within the Arctic, within NATO, and beyond.
Arctic360

The global geopolitical landscape is shifting investment priorities. NATO countries are changing their investment priorities to accommodate the changing geopolitical realities This includes a focus on investments in dual use technologies and projects. Canada’s security and sovereignty both rely on a well-defended, sustainable, and prosperous Canadian North. As Europe’s investment community adapts its investment priorities, is Bay Street doing the same?

Public-Private-Indigenous Partnerships are essential for building smart, connected, multipurpose infrastructure to support Northern communities, safeguard Arctic defence and security, and drive economic growth. Public-Private-Indigenous investment partnerships are also the key to building accompanying trade and supply chains North of 60, to connect Canada’s North to the rest of Canada, Canada to its Arctic neighbours, and the Arctic region to global markets.

Arctic360

Securing and maintaining Arctic defence capabilities requires National strategy and policy. Private industry is the key to bringing a political vision to life and the Public-Private defence relationship relies on the ability to build off the mandates and expertise of government and the private sector. In the case of the Arctic, robust Public-Private partnerships are necessary to address Canada’s needs in the North including maritime capability, cold weather infrastructure, and enabling the innovation required to develop dual-use technologies out of the Arctic (with the potential to scale up and beyond the region).

Critical technologies including defence weapons, semiconductor chips, and the energy systems for the net-zero economy all rely on mining and processing critical minerals. This landscape is a mix of great power geopolitics, global energy security and strengthening democratic alliances. Canada needs to work with purpose and speed to create strategies and the financial tools necessary to help attract Canadian and allied venture and patient capital investments to develop Canada’s Northern critical minerals potential and domestic supply chains to meet Canada’s defence and security needs.

“I attended the Arctic360 conference two years ago and I was absolutely fascinated by the people in the room and the desire and a determination to really work closely with us in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Canada but also your real commitment to learn and to understand and be more involved. That was one of real takeaways that I had at the gathering at that time. So, when the invitation came this time, I said wow I would love to do that again.”

— Yvonne, Jones, Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs, MP Labrador, 2021

Arctic360 is dedicated to educating and engaging with the public about the pressing issues and potential solutions for building a prosperous and sustainable Arctic region. Contact us if you have any questions about our activities or if you would like to be more involved.