Report

The Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association appointed a delegation of two parliamentarians to participate in a meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (‘the committee’ also known as Arctic Parliamentarians) which took place on 26 January 2025 in Tromsø, Norway. The Canadian delegation was composed of Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament (MP) and the Honourable Donna Dasko, Senator. The delegation was supported by the Library of Parliament’s Association Advisor, Sara Fryer. Following the meeting of Arctic Parliamentarians, on 27–28 January 2025, the delegation attended part of the Arctic Frontiers conference.

On 24 January 2025, Yvonne Jones and the Association Advisor met with parliamentary staff from Norway and Global Affairs Canada at the Norwegian Parliament, the Storting, in Oslo, and were provided with information about the rules and functionning of the unicameral parliament.

On 25 January 2025, the Canadian delegation met with members from the Norwegian delegation, along with representatives from UArctic and members of the Sámi Parliament.

MEETING OF ARCTIC PARLIAMENTARIANS

The Arctic Parliamentarians’ meeting was held on 26 January 2025. Aaja Chemnitz, MP, Kingdom of Denmark and Chair of Arctic Parliamentarians, and Lars Haltbrekken, MP, Norway, provided introductory remarks. Lars Haltbrekken noted that the Tromsø region is an important place to the Sámi people, who have inhabited the surrounding areas for centuries. Aaja Chemnitz remarked that she was looking forward to the committee's important deliberations and emphasized that peaceful collaboration between Arctic states is important at this critical juncture.

1.       Relations between Greenland and the United States (U.S.)

The Chair noted that it is up to the population of Greenland to decide its future and that Greenlanders do not wish to be Danish or American. Economic diversification is important to Greenland as the autonomous region has many of the “critical rare earth minerals” deemed important to the European Union. Tourism is another important sector that the region hopes to continue to expand. Lastly, the Chair noted that Greenland was negotiating with the Kingdom of Denmark regarding increased defense funding.

Doris J. Jensen, Chair of the West Nordic Council and member of the Inatsisartut, the Parliament of Greenland, commented on Greenland’s relationship with the U.S. She echoed that Greenlanders do not want to be Danish or American. She explained that the West Nordic Council had adopted a January 2025 declaration supporting Greenland and its people, and it also called on other parliamentary organizations to follow suit.

Sara Olsvig, International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) emphasized that, from an international perspective, the threat to the self-rule of Greenland is serious and that hard-won Indigenous rights are at stake. The current tensions also threaten the work of the Arctic Council, where Arctic states and Arctic Indigenous peoples organizations work together. Over the past several years, the Russian Federation has been seen as the biggest risk to Arctic cooperation; however, more recently, the U.S. may also now be a risk to Arctic cooperation. Her advice to the Arctic states would be to work together at the Arctic Council level.

The Chair noted that Greenland will hold elections in April 2025.

As well, the Chair informed the committee that she and the Vice-Chair, Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator for Alaska, will release a joint statement that will focus on partnership, peace and collaboration between Greenland and the U.S.

Discussion ensued and Yvonne Jones expressed solidarity with Greenland as did Per-Olof Nutti, President of the Saami Council. Alexandra Anstrell, MP, Sweden, also expressed the desire for a peaceful Arctic region and inquired whether Greenland’s population was interested in joining the European Union (EU). The Chair noted that recent polling suggested that 60% of Greenland’s population wants to foster a closer relationship with the EU. Of note, Greenland receives fisheries and educational grants from the EU and the EU recently opened a diplomatic office in Nuuk.

2.       Presentations by Indigenous Peoples Organizations

Sara Olsvig outlined the ICC’s recent contributions to the Arctic Council, along with some work undertaken at the United Nations, on climate change, reductions in plastics pollution and the ICC’s provisional consultative status at the International Maritime Organization regarding increased shipping in Arctic waters. The ICC recently issued a position paper about the work of the Arctic Council.

Per-Olof Nutti mentioned that Russian participation at the political level is still stalled at the Arctic Council. He spoke about a cross-border network for Arctic youth councils and recent work at the Nordic Council of Ministers. He argued that the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples is an important tool to find solutions to the challenges that face the Arctic.

3.       Truth and Reconciliation in Norway

Lars Haltbrekken and Runar Myrnes Balto, Member of the Governing Council of the Sámi Parliament, discussed the 2023 Norwegian Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. Lars Haltbrekken provided some historical context for the launch of the Commission. Among other matters, the report’s findings noted that the state had suppressed languages and cultures and removed children from their families to assimilate them into Norwegian society. Norwegian parliamentarians responded to the report and expressed their deepest regrets to the Sámi and the other national minorities. The report has resulted in a new focus on Sámi rights in Norway. Norway’s parliament will monitor the implementation of recommendations as a part of the country’s broader response to the report. For example, it will report annually during budget debates.

Runar Myrnes Balto discussed some of the matters that were important to understanding how state policies affected the Sámi. For example, in the Tromsø region, the Sea Sámi were affected by Norwegian policies and laws implemented to limit their ability to engage in fishing activities; the report details the systematic erasure of Sámi identity.

4.       Guidelines for Research in the Arctic

Lars Kullerud, President of UArctic, outlined the mandate of UArctic and the critical need for multiple states to continue to fund the institution.

Yvonne Jones described how funding provided by Canada’s scientific research agencies was transformed over the past eight years; notably that Indigenous peoples’ organizations can now administer research grants. Further, any scientific research conducted in the Arctic must also involve local or Indigenous peoples.

5.       Partnership between Arctic Parliamentarians and UArctic

Lars Kullerud and Aaja Chemnitz signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

6.       Presentation about the Arctic Council

Morten Høglund, Chair, Senior Arctic Officials, Arctic Council, called on governments to “make multilateralism great again.” He said the Arctic Council is a multilateral forum that has worked well for the past 25 years. The illegal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has made the political work more difficult at the Council. He reflected that it is important to consider how Arctic nations can focus on multilateral relations.

Since May 2023, the focus of Norway’s Arctic Council Chairship has been on being inclusive because, at the inception of Norway’s leadership, no meetings were taking place. The research work of the Council’s working groups restarted in 2024, with researchers from all eight states participating. However, at the diplomatic and political levels, Arctic Council meetings have not resumed with all eight Arctic states. Morten Høglund noted that, in his view, the Chairship has been a success.

The overall objective for Norway’s Chairship of the Arctic Council has been to promote stability and constructive cooperation in the Arctic. Norway has also focused on the core issues of the Council, including the impacts of climate change, sustainable development and efforts to enhance the well-being of people living in the region. Norway prioritized four topics for its work leading the Arctic Council: the oceans; climate and the environment; sustainable economic development; and people in the North. These four thematic priorities align with and reflect long-term Norwegian priorities for the Arctic and are derived from Norway’s Arctic policy.

7.       The Rules of Procedure of Arctic Parliamentarians

Arna Gerður Bang, Secretary General of Arctic Parliamentarians, provided a report on the meeting of the working group on Rules of Procedure that was held on 13 January 2025. The working group consists of secretaries of the national delegations (seven states and the European Parliament) and was tasked with providing options for the Arctic Parliamentarians to potentially change the Rules of Procedure.  Arctic Parliamentarians discussed two proposals brought forward by the working group: establishing interim rules to govern the committee in its current state and to continue with the rules as they are. Arctic Parliamentarians directed the working group to look into each of the two options presented further.

8.       Minerals and deep-sea mining

Bård Ludvig Thorheim, MP from Norway and Lars Haltbrekken engaged in a debate pertaining to the viability of deep-sea mining in Norwegian waters, for minerals that can be used for the green energy transition. The Government of Norway is currently working on a new mineral act that could provide some guidance on deep-sea mining. There remains a need to take ecological considerations into account to ensure the environmental impacts are not too significant.

9.       Critical Raw Minerals in the Arctic

Mads Qvist Fredriksen, Director of the Arctic Economic Council, provided an overview of the potential for mining critical raw minerals in the Arctic region, where 31 of 34 critical minerals are present. Once minerals are discovered, it takes an average of 16 years to extract them. Demand for these minerals is expected to increase by 500% between 2025 and 2050, driven by the shift towards renewable energy.

10.     Reindeer Herding and Resilience Project, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry

Anders Oskal, Director of the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry, described how the organization fosters international cooperation between circumpolar reindeer herding peoples. In 2005, the Norwegian government established the organization and continues to provide core funding. The Centre conducts research and exchanges information related to traditional Indigenous knowledge and best practices for reindeer husbandry.

11.      Country Reports from Member Parliaments

Canada: Yvonne Jones discussed the December 2024 release of an Arctic Foreign Policy by the Government of Canada. She noted that the Policy has five pillars and establishes three new positions to enhance diplomatic relations, including a national Arctic representative and representation specifically in Alaska and Greenland. Canada has committed 2% of its annual budget to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). She stressed that Canada must do more around energy security and national security.

European Parliament: Ms. Emma Fourreau, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) noted that the European Parliament will establish a new delegation for Arctic affairs to be chaired by Mr. Andreas Schwab, MEP.

Finland: Olga Oinas-Panuma, MP, reported that Finland has increased its investments in foreign affairs and security, and that NATO and the Arctic are of particular interest to that state. She emphasized that locals must be involved in any economic development in the Arctic, specifically if any resource and mineral development is to occur.

Greenland, Kingdom of Denmark: Aaja Chemnitz highlighted that, in May 2025, Denmark/Greenland will assume the chair of the Arctic Council and the five key priorities for the mandate will be: education and youth; Indigenous leadership; local engagement and research; preparedness; and investments in the Arctic. The Danish/Greenlandic delegation to Arctic Parliamentarians supports the governments of Greenland and the Faro Islands joining Arctic Parliamentarians should membership applications be made.

Norway: Lars Haltbrekken noted that Norway has issued several white papers regarding defence and security that emphasizes “total preparedness” and that sets out collaboration between police and the military to provide guidance on what types of supplies people should have at home.

Sweden: Alexandra Anstrell assumed the role of Climate Rapporteur of Arctic Parliamentarians at the last conference held in Kiruna and circulated an update on activities, including holding a seminar about sustainable waste management at the Riksdag.

United States: Lisa Murkowski noted that it was the U.S. administration’s sixth day in government. She emphasized the sovereignty of Greenland and Canada. She said energy and energy security is a key focus for the U.S. administration, including oil and gas development in the North Slope and obtaining access to critical minerals. Another focus for the administration is immigration, and she anticipates seeing immigration laws as a key area for legislative reform. Border security issues may be raised with Canada because it is another priority area for the new administration to strengthen border security to prevent crime and immigration. 

Senator Dasko asked how the U.S. would seek closer relations with Greenland according to the rule of law. Senator Murkowski noted that there are models in place that could be available, such as compacts of free association.

12.     Arctic Parliamentarians and the Arctic Mayors’ Forum

At a reception held on 28 January 2025, hosted by the Arctic Mayors’ Forum, Yvonne Jones, representing Arctic Parliamentarians, and Ms. Patti Bruns, Secretary General of Arctic Mayors’ Forum, signed an MOU.

13.     Arctic Parliamentarians and Arctic Council Youth Conference

Members of Arctic Parliamentarians held roundtable discussions with youth from Arctic regions who were attending the first Arctic Council Youth Conference.

14.     Briefing with Canada’s Ambassadors to the Kingdom of Denmark and Norway and Canada’s Senior Arctic Official

On 27 January 2025, the Canadian delegation met with Amy Baker, Ambassador of Canada to Norway, the Honourable Carolyn Bennet, Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Denmark, and Robert Sinclair, Canada’s Senior Arctic Official.

15.     Arctic Frontiers Conference 2025

Members of the Canadian delegation attended portions of the Arctic Frontiers Conference on 27 and 28 January 2025. They attended sessions on such topics as:  research and resource development in the Russian Federation’s Arctic region; science-based diplomacy of the Arctic Council; mental health in the Arctic; Norway’s foreign policy; and space for a better life in the Arctic.

Travel Expenses

Travel expenses associated with this activity can be found in the delegation’s financial report. This report is available in the Financial Disclosure section of the Parliamentary Diplomacy website.

Respectfully submitted,

James Maloney, M.P.
President, Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association