Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the statement from the Premier. Mine is very similar.
Mr. Speaker, Europeans started looking at the Northwest Passage in the 19th century. Explorers and their governments thought it would be a shorter route for ports of trade in Asia. No thought was given to the Indigenous people who had been living on the Arctic coast long before time was recorded.
This state of mind still exists today. At the Arctic Council ministerial meeting in Finland earlier this month, American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a speech where he said that the United States has a longstanding feud with Canada over our illegitimate sovereign claims to the Northwest Passage. This statement may have opened up the Arctic more so than ever before for activity that we are not prepared for environmentally, socially, or infrastructure-wise. More vessels and cruise ships are travelling through the passage in the summer months, and this is increasing, making this a major issue for many reasons.
The Polar Code came into force in 2017, which is mandatory for all ships operating in the Arctic, with the intent to protect the unique environment and ecosystems of the Arctic.
The development of marine passageways, trade, and other activity will have a major impact on the Inuit way of life. Climate change is already having a drastic effect on the Arctic environment, including the Inuvialuit and the wildlife. If the Northwest Passage is made in international waters, there are no controls over who may traverse this sensitive ecological area. The damage to the environment that sustains us will be certain and immediate. There is much, much risk to the lands, waters, and animals that are central to our way of life. Unregulated marine traffic through the passage will irrevocably change both environment and Inuit who rely upon it.
Other countries are rapidly expanding their expense in the Arctic. Russia is building more than 15 deepwater ports along their Arctic coast and icebreakers to navigate their waterways. China refers to itself as a near-Arctic country and, a few months ago, announced that it would be building a nuclear-powered icebreaker that is bigger than Russia's largest icebreaker.
Mr. Speaker, our infrastructure is eroding almost as fast as we build it. Canadian ships can't make it through the heavy sea ice. Our sovereignty is being ignored, which will have profound implications for Inuit and all Canadians in the years to come. We must encourage our Indigenous, our territorial, and our national governments to work together, especially where our priorities align. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.