John Baird: Canada's freedom agenda - Diplomat Magazine

diplomatic agenda|DIPLOMATICACanada and the U.S. Provided that environmentaland climate concerns are adequatelyhandled, we believe it is feasibleto slowly start exploring how to harvestsignificant energy resources in the Arctic.In fact, a major conference on how to preventoil spills in the Arctic took place underthe Arctic Council’s auspices in Osloin October and was attended by Canadianofficials. We don’t expect a major rush orconflicts over energy resources in the region,as ownership and governance are alreadywell-established through the UnitedNations Law of the Sea Convention.There are a number of examples ofnew energy opportunities in the far north.They include the Shtokman project (ledby Russia’s Gazprom, with Norwegianand French interests on a large offshoregas field in the Barents Sea), the new dealbetween Rosneft of Russia and Exxonof the U.S. in the Kara Ocean, last year’sdelimitation agreement between Norwayand Russia in the Barents Sea, and Chineseinvestment in an LNG plant in the samearea.Energy production moves NorthThe High North is a main focal point forthe Norwegian government. The aim isto safeguard a sustainable developmentthere, and this implies expanding economicactivities to develop employment,growth and welfare. The energy sector isan important part of this. Norway has hadfantastic exploration results this year. Inthe mature, fully developed North Sea, theAldeous/Avaldsnes oil discovery mightprove to be among the all-time top five oilfields ever discovered in Norway. Thenthere are the Skrugard oil discovery andthe Norvarg gas find, both in the BarentsSea. There is also an ongoing effort toopen up the area around Jan Mayen andnew areas in the southern Barents Sea foroil and gas exploration.Norway struggled for many years tosolve the secrets of oil and gas in this bodyof water. The first discovery came in 1980,but it took more than 25 years to get it intoproduction. Today, the future looks muchbrighter. We have LNG production. Wehave an oil discovery under developmentin the High North as well as the Skrugardsite. Thirty years after opening this areafor exploration, the northern energy focushas made a big push forward. The recentvisit of Norway’s energy minister to Canadaunderlines the partnership betweenCanada and Norway for sustainable managementof our respective northern energyresources. DOffering ExclusiveRates For Diplomats-At Accu-Rate Corporation ourteam of highly experienced currencytraders and foreign banking partnersallow us to negotiate currency priceslower than any other currency dealeror commercial institution.Accu-RateCorporationForeign Exchange & International Payment Serviceswww.accu-rate.caAccu-Rate Corporation2573 Carling Ave.(613) 596-5505For your personalconsultation please call:Marie BoivinManaging Director613-596-5505 ext. 101marie@accu-rate.caWorld Exchange Plaza111 Albert St.(613) 238-8454diplomat and international canada 27