Armand de Mestral, Canada-Europe Transatlantic Dialogue lead researcher, Law Professor at McGill University and former member of the Canadian Law of the Sea delegation, talks about international frustration over Canada’s 2010 unilateral decision to make compulsory the duty to notify Canadian authorities in advance of a ship’s entry into Canadian waters. He argues Canada had no choice but to take this decision, highlighting the lack of solid international standards on Arctic shipping. He also discusses how the European Unions’ eventual position—in favour or against Canada’s decision—could influence the issue.
This interview results from a two-day conference (Sept. 22-23): The European Union, Canada and the Arctic: International Policy on the Arctic, supported by Carleton University’s Centre for European Studies (European Union Centre of Excellence) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.