Canadian Arctic Security and Climate Change: Where Does Traditional Security Fit?

Heather N. Nicol (1)

1 Department of Geography

While Lakenbauer's analysis of the indigenization of Arctic security arrangements through the implementation and expansion of the Canadian Rangers program identifies the changing context of security activities over time (and the relatively modest contribution the program makes in expanding the definition of security beyond the conventional notion as that of traditional security delivered by the state, to the state, and for the state, within the Canadian Arctic), one thing remains clear: a desire for traditional military protection, focused upon the pillars national security and sovereignty, still explain the establishment and expansion of the Arctic Ranger program since WWII. While indigenization of military security through the Rangers program was designed in some ways to deliver a new type of traditional security, ostensibly because “the military could not feasibly station large numbers of regular soldiers in the North,” the implementation of a Rangers force as the main security unit within the Canadian North has not resulted in an inherent shift to a more individualistic, sensitive and comprehensive human security. Rather, it has been a reason why some elements of Canadian society demand a larger and more visible traditional military presence.

Mots clés: Arctic

Domaines: Science politique

Heather N. Nicol. Canadian Arctic Security and Climate Change: Where Does Traditional Security Fit?. Arctique. Enjeux et équations géopolitiques au 21ème siècle - Arctic. Geopolitical Issues and Equations in 21st the Century, Nov 2010, Lyon, France. ⟨halshs-00534390v2⟩