Report

 

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Ryan Leef, M.P., represented Canada at the meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (the Standing Committee) held in Inari, Finland, 13 November 2012. Ms. Shauna Troniak from the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament also attended as advisor to the delegation.

The Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (the Conference) is a parliamentary body comprising delegations appointed by the national parliaments of the Arctic states (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United States of America) and the European Parliament. The Conference also includes Permanent Participants representing Indigenous peoples, as well as observers. The Conference meets every two years. The Tenth Conference was held in Akureyri, Iceland, 5-7 September 2012.^[1]

The Conference adopts a statement with recommendations to the Arctic Council (the Council) and to the governments of the eight Arctic states and the European Commission. The Standing Committee closely monitors how governments implement the Conference Statement, and take new initiatives to further Arctic cooperation.

Between conferences, Arctic parliamentary cooperation is facilitated by the Standing Committee, which began its activities in 1994. The Conference and Standing Committee take initiatives to further Arctic cooperation, and act, in particular, as a parliamentary forum for issues relevant to the work of the Council. The Standing Committee takes part in the work of the Council as an observer.^[2]

MEETING SUMMARY

The agenda for the meeting and the draft minutes of the previous Standing Committee meeting held 7 September, Akureyri, Iceland, were adopted.

A.   Sami Parliament of Finland

Ms. Tiina Sanila-Aikio, Vice-President, Sami Parliament of Finland, informed the Standing Committee of the role, functions and activities of the Parliament.

The Sami Parliament of Finland is an institution of self-government that was formally established in 1996 under the Sami Parliament Act.^[3]  The Constitution of Finland recognizes the Sami as an Indigenous people with the right to maintain and develop their own language and culture. It also guarantees the Sami cultural and linguistic self-government within their native region, as provided under the Act and other legislation.^[4] The Parliament is formally under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, but functions independently through its own rules of procedure, administrative organs, and accounting and auditing practices.

The Parliament includes a 21-member Plenum that is elected every 4 years. Its functions include issuing statements and submitting proposals to the government on issues relating to Sami language, culture, and status as an Indigenous people. The Plenum chooses a President and Board from among the elected members to oversee the actions and administration of the Parliament. It also appoints members to committees that deal with matters relating to Sami culture, education, livelihoods, social affairs and health, youth and language.

The Parliament received operating funding of approximately € 1.6 million (2.1 million CAD) this year. Priorities for the current Parliament to 2015 include supporting the ratification of ILO Convention No. 169^[5] and the draft Nordic Sami Convention, reform of the Sami Parliament Act, and implementation of a revitalization program for Sami languages.

Ms. Sanila-Aikio expressed concern with recent reports surrounding the suspension of operations of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON). Following a discussion among delegates, the Standing Committee agreed on the text of a letter addressing this issue (attached as Appendix 1).

B.   Arctic Strategy of Finland

Ms. Hanna-Elina Koivisto, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, provided an overview of the Arctic policy of Finland.

Finland released its Arctic Strategy in 2010.^[6] The Strategy was prepared by a working group comprised of representatives of several ministries appointed by the Prime Minister’s office. The Strategy focuses on external relations and multilateral cooperation in seven priority areas: environment; economy; transport and infrastructure; Indigenous peoples; security; governance institutions; and the European Union. Many of the issues facing the Arctic, such as climate change, are international in nature and therefore multilateral cooperation is vitally important.

A new version of the Arctic Strategy is being prepared by the working group for release in the spring of 2013. The updated policy will focus on Finland’s technical knowledge and expertise for work in the Arctic in various sectors, including mining, shipping, and clean technologies.

C.   Arctic Student Exchange

Ms. Outi Snellman, Vice-President, Administration, University of the Arctic (UArctic), updated the Standing Committee on UArctic’s activities to promote student exchanges in the Arctic region.

UArctic is a global research network that currently involves 146 Arctic and non-Arctic partner institutions in research activities across several thematic networks. A new UArctic Strategic Plan 2020 is currently in development and has involved both internal and external review processes. The external review is ongoing and is chaired by Tony Penikett from Canada.

Knowledge and expertise on Arctic issues are not concentrated in one location or academic institution. Rather, each partner in a research network represents lines of intellectual inquiry that together form a web across the Arctic. Student mobility and exchanges are thus particularly important to providing students with a relevant education on Arctic issues. In addition, exchanges particularly at the undergraduate level help strengthen students’ connection to the north and expose students to future opportunities to study and work in the north.

UArctic’s north2north project has facilitated student exchanges across the Arctic since 2002.^[7] North2north receives project-based funding from a variety of sources, including governments and academic institutions. UArctic is now proposing to establish a more permanent Circumpolar Mobility Program, involving all eight Arctic states, and modeled around north2north. The heads of UArctic partner institutions supported this proposal in a declaration adopted at their annual meeting on 13-14 November 2012.^[8]

In discussion with delegates, Ms. Snellman noted that technological advances in the last decade have vastly improved access to education across the region. Students must, however, be enrolled in a partner institution in order to access UArctic programs delivered either on campus or online. Securing increased and more permanent funding for scholarship and other programs is an ongoing challenge, but the political will exists to create more opportunities for northerners across the region.

D.   EU Arctic Information Centre

Ms. Paula Kankaanpää, Director, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, updated the Standing Committee on progress toward establishing an EU Arctic Information Centre.

The European Commission recently allocated funds to explore the feasibility of creating an EU Arctic Information Centre as part of its ongoing efforts toward developing an overall policy for the Arctic region. The Centre would coordinate research and information sharing among a network of research institutions within and outside the EU, and would be a source of credible and relevant Arctic information for EU policy-makers.

The Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland, has submitted a proposal to become the location of the Centre; the European Commission is expected to announce the location by the end of the year.

E.   Economic Cooperation in the North

Mr. Timo Rautajoki, Managing Director, Lapland Chamber of Commerce, Finland, provided an outline of business development opportunities across the Lapland region of Northern Europe and Russia.

Mr. Rautajoki stated that big business is in the Lapland region. Cumulative investments across the region total €227 billion (CAD 295 billion), with another €125 billion (CAD 160 billion) anticipated over the coming decade. To date, some of the strongest sectors have been: oil and gas (€35 billion) (CAD 45 billion); mining (€18 billion) (CAD 23 billion); transportation infrastructure (€23 billion) (CAD 30 billion); and wind energy (€23 billion) (CAD 30 billion).

The investment activity in the Lapland is, however, largely invisible to governments and businesses outside the region.  The Lapland Chamber of Commerce recently updated its Investment Catalogue of the European High North in advance of the 2012 Arctic Business Forum.^[9] The catalogue shows that the Lapland region is at the centre of major investments in sectors including tourism, mining, and transportation. Investments in the European High North were €16 billion (CAD 20 billion) in 2012.

Mining technology is a key export for Finland, particularly given the changing role of Nokia and information technology exports in the Finnish economy. Finland must concentrate on developing markets for environmentally friendly mining technologies that it manufactures and exports. For example, recent investments in mining operations in Norbotten, Sweden, utilize 70% Finnish technology.

A major challenge involves the development of transportation infrastructure to connect communities and supply routes across the region. Roads, bridges and rail lines are especially needed in certain locations and for certain industries. For example, no trucks can pass directly from Rovaniemi to the gold mine in Kittila because of the lack of a direct bridge connection, which would cost €8 million (CAD 10 million) to build. Rail lines, which are needed for the mining industry, will cost into the billions to develop. New Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs), effective in January 2013, will in effect increase the cost of shipping in the Baltic Sea.^[10]

Delegates discussed challenges and opportunities relating to further economic development across the region. The delegate from Canada noted that the Arctic Council is an important forum to discuss sustainable economic development, and in particular regulatory environments and governance strategies that allow northerners to benefit from this development. In response to a question from the delegation from Greenland/Denmark, Mr. Rautajoki indicated that the carrying out of social and cultural impact assessments varies across the region, though the Chambers of Commerce in the Lapland region encourage companies to conduct assessments and consult with local people as a best practice. Responding to a question from the Swedish delegation, Mr. Rautajoki stated that cross-border cooperation is good among companies operating in the region, but that Chambers of Commerce in the region need more research and support to foster better and more coordinated links among these companies.

F.    Experiences from the 10^th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region

Delegates discussed the experience from the last Conference in Akureyri, Iceland, 5-7 September 2012.

The Chair indicated that the Conference was well organized and well structured; in particular, presentations and ensuing discussions were well balanced and productive, and strong links were evident between the issues debated and the Conference Statement.^[11] Delegates agreed that the paper “Arctic Governance in an Evolving Arctic Region”^[12] was a good tool for focusing debate internally, as well as to present the work of the Conference and Standing Committee externally. Delegates discussed the need to improve cooperation with Permanent Participants at the Conferences and at interim meetings.

Follow-up efforts among delegates included communications and meetings in the Norwegian Parliament with officials and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Standing Committee has additionally asked the Swedish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council to take the Conference Statement into account. Articles written by the Chair and delegate from Greenland/Denmark were published in their respective news media. Delegates were encouraged to follow up with their responsible ministers on the Conference Statement.

G.   Topics for SCPAR until the Conference in 2014

Delegates discussed possible topics for discussion in advance of the next Conference in 2014. These included:

·Investment potential in the Arctic, including environmentally friendly technologies, and issues relating to marine and air transportation;

·Cultural and social impact assessments for industrial and resource development;

·Maritime mapping and hydrographic data collection;

·Weather forecasting and sharing of meteorological information between the Arctic states; and

·Developing and formalizing a program for student exchanges.

Delegates also discussed the need for continued dialogue on the Arctic governance paper and the development of the Arctic Council as a governance institution. Delegates agreed that agenda items would be chosen at the next Standing Committee meeting.

H.   Information Work of SCPAR

Delegates discussed current efforts to share and communicate information about its activities and the need to improve and develop these networks. Resources may be sought to support more regular communications in news media and on the website.

I.      Status of the Work of SCPAR

Delegates provided updates on developments in their respective countries in relation to the Arctic. Further details on these presentations are provided in the minutes of the meeting (attached as Appendix 2).

The delegate from Canada noted that the incoming Chair of the Arctic Council will be Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and the Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. Minister Aglukkaq also holds a special ministerial portfolio that Canada has created for the Arctic Council. She is currently engaging with northern communities to develop priorities for the chairmanship.

It was also announced that the next Conference will be held in Whitehorse in 2014.

J.    Next Meetings of SCPAR

The next meeting of the Standing Committee will be held in Washington in mid-March 2013.

TOUR OF CULTURAL SITES IN INARI

The Standing Committee visited sites of cultural significance to the Sami Indigenous population in Inari.

Delegates received guided tours of the Sami Education Institute and the Sami Museum Siida. The Sami Education Institute offers vocational training in several fields relevant to preserving and supporting Sami cultures and livelihoods, including Sami languages, wilderness and nature guiding, reindeer husbandry, tourism and handicrafts. Students demonstrated their work in design and crafting of jewelry, traditional clothing and tools. At the Sami Museum Siida, exhibits included an introduction to Sami archaeological history and displays of traditional and modern material culture.

Delegates visited a facility where reindeer meat and hides are processed using a hybrid of traditional and more mechanized methods. A presentation by the Finnish Forestry Administration provided details on reindeer habitats and populations in northern Finland. In particular, a population of approximately 200,000 semi-domesticated reindeer is owned and herded by individuals or herding cooperatives within wide but defined areas. The Canadian delegation took note of differences between this and the Canadian system of managing the hunting of wild caribou over wide migration areas in the north.

 

Respectfully submitted,