The Flag & The Pole

Joseph-Elzéar Bernier and a Century of Canadian Arctic Sovereignty

Author:  Dominic Farrell

With the advent of global warming and the rapid melting of the polar ice cap, the Arctic is quickly opening up. Its value as a shorter route for ships travelling between Europe and Asia, along with the vast riches of its mineral and oil wealth have already lured a number of countries—polar states and others—to lay claim to parts of it.
Canada has significant interests there too, something made clear by the keen interest in the area that Prime Minister Harper has displayed since coming to office. Although it’s been over a hundred years since Canada laid claim to all of the Arctic Archipelago and the waters surrounding it, Canada’s claim is not secure.
In The Flag & the Pole, Dominic Farrell tells the remarkable story of how this bold extension of Canadian sovereignty initially took place, and examines the promises and threats the future holds for Canada in the Arctic.

Format: 6" x 9".
Features: maps, photographs, interview with the author.