Canada again comes up with Arctic claim

OTTAWA (AFP) - Canada says it has scientific proof of its territorial claims over a vast portion of the Arctic, amid debate between northern nations over sovereignty in the oil-rich region.

Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said Friday joint research with Denmark had found that the undersea Lomonosov Ridge is attached to the North American and Greenland plates, directly challenging a Russian claim.

“The need to demonstrate our sovereignty in the Arctic has never been more important, which is why our government has made this research a top priority,” Lunn said in a statement.

“Our commitment to this initiative, as well as other investments in the North, is ultimately about turning potential into prosperity for this remarkable region and for our country as a whole,” he said.

Lunn added that the scientific findings about the ridge will be presented this weekend at the 2008 International Geological Congress in Oslo, Norway. Ottawa plans to submit a formal claim to the United Nations by the end of 2013.

“This joint research is another step supporting Canada’s submission in relation to the extended polar continental shelf in the high Arctic,” said the minister.