Canada's Northwest Passage
Canada may be on it way to becoming one of the most important countries involved in the trade industry as the northwest passage began to open during this past summer. The northwest passage acts as a big shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and it would save a lot of time and fuel for ships to travel through Canada 's arctic then to use the alternative routes that connect the two oceans. The opening up of this passage has also spurred an international competition for who should claim ownership and control over the shipping lane and newly accessible natural resources. Canada claims that that they have full rights over the parts of the passage that passes there territory, while the European Union and US state that it is international waters. Also Russia dropped a titanium capsule containing the the russian flag on to the arctic sea floor at the North Pole in hopes of securing the Arctic's natural resources. Canadian scientist, Andre Rochon, is worried that if there were more shipping happening in the area it would lead to and increased risk of accident and pollution, and Canada does not have the infrastructure to support this. Thats why Rochon states along with other scientists that Canada must quickly learn as much as they can in order to prepare for the upcoming changes. 