THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CANADA FIRST DEFENCE STRATEGY IN RESPONDING TO THE THREAT PERCEPTION IN THE ARCTIC REGION (2006-2015)

Abstract

The Arctic, located in the northernmost part of the earth, is becoming one of the most significant regions in the world. This region is facing the growing concern of the international community, especially for the Arctic countries, due to the impact of climate change. Climate change leads to the retreating frozen sea-ice of the Arctic, and it makes this region along with its benefits to be more accessible. On the other hand, climate change also triggers the security challenges in the arctic region; it is about the increasing national interests of Arctic countries along with the threat perception towards this region. Seeing the possibility of increasing security challenges in the Arctic region Canada as a part of the Arctic countries, make a point of the challenges and threats towards Arctic region, it is because, for Canada, Arctic is the national identity of Canada along with all the potentials and interests in it. Canada, under the government of Stephen Harper, is committed to increasing Canada’s commitment to the region through its national policies, foreign and defence policies. By using the qualitative methodology through collecting data and information from online and offline resources, this research tries to understand and analyze how Canada implements Canadian defence policy through Canada First Defence Strategy document under the administration of Stephen Harper, it is because Canada First Defence Strategy document states that this defence strategy is a long-term policy of Canada; up to 20 years along with its commitment to increase military capabilities towards Canada’s Arctic, but after Stephen Harper no longer serves as Canada’s Prime Minister, Prime Minister after Stephen Harper issued the latest policy document replacing the Canada First Defence Strategy, through that, the research of this study is trying to see how the implementation of Canada's First Defence Strategy during the leadership of Stephen Harper.