- Jun 19, 2003
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The Canadian government claims that the waters of the Northwest Passage are internal to Canada. In 1985, the U.S. icebreaker Polar Sea passed through and the U.S. Government made a point of not asking permission from the Canadians. They claimed that this was simply a cost effective way to get the ship from Greenland to Alaska and that there was no need to ask permission to travel through international waters. The Canadian government issued a declaration in 1986 reaffirming Canadian rights to the waters. However, the United States refused to recognize the Canadian claim.
In late 2005, it was alleged that U.S. nuclear submarines had travelled the passage without Canadian approval, sparking Canadian outrage. In his first news conference after the federal election, then Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper contested an earlier statement made by the American ambassador that Arctic waters were international, stating the Canadian government's intention to enforce its sovereignty there.
Still haven't heard back from you guys. When are you going to kick us out, huh?
:evil:
BTW:Link