Currently on a multi-day tour of the Canadian North, Prime Minister Harper has announced two key measures intended to bolster Canada’s Arctic sovereign claim: mandatory registration for commercial shipping and a $100 million fund to generate a detailed geomapping of possible minerals and hydrocarbons deposits.

Both announcements are regarded as possible election promises if a fall election comes trues in the following weeks.  Regardless of political rhetoric, mandatory registration of commercial vessels (presently voluntary-based) is required due in part to the increasing length of the shipping season through the Northwest Passage vis-a-vis reduced concentrations of sea ice (portions are presently open — see shipping section on Polarwarming.ca).  Secondly, a well-funded Arctic geomapping project which would generate a detailed list of mineral, oil and gas deposits creates a solid framework to establish the platform for future economic developments — something which is presently lacking.  

For further information, here are a few articles for reference:

Harper draws a line in the snow – National Post

Harper announces $100M fund to unlock Arctic vault – Ottawa Citizen