At least, that’s what Jean Charest, the former prime minister of Quebec, suggested in a speech he delivered to high-profile guests gathered for a meeting of the Foreign Policy Association in New York on Thursday night. Mr. Charest was honored by this organization and received the Foreign Policy Association Medal, the highest honor given to individuals to recognize their contribution to a better understanding of international affairs.

“Canada and the United States share a common and urgent interest in protecting our sovereignty in the Arctic. With the effects of climate change, our northern territory is literally changing before our eyes. The geopolitical ramifications are immediate and significant,” Mr Charest said in his speech.

More than ever, the Arctic region is coveted by foreign powers like Russia and China due to its natural resources that are becoming increasingly accessible due to melting ice caused by global warming.

Russia has already multiplied its investments to build new ports and new infrastructure in the region, while building a modern military base there.

Curb the expansionist ambitions of China and Russia

According to Mr. Charest, Canada alone cannot counteract the expansionist ambitions of these two countries. Hence the importance of working with the United States. He pointed out that the two allies are already working closely together to ensure the defense of the North American continent, including through NORAD.

According to him, the defense of the Arctic must become a joint project between Canada and the United States that can nourish bilateral ties in the years to come, even if Washington does not recognize Canada’s sovereignty over the Northwest Passage.

During the race for leadership of Canada’s Conservative Party, won by Pierre Poilievre, Mr. Charest had also proposed greatly increasing the presence of military forces to defend Canada’s North by establishing two bases, one of which is in deep water. .

“We can’t do this alone. […] We need the support and cooperation of the United States, and we must do so using all of our existing multilateral institutions, including NATO and NORAD. In addition to monitoring our airspace, NORAD also provides a joint maritime alert,” argued Mr Charest.

Reached by La Presse, Mr. Charest said he was honored to receive this award from the Foreign Policy Association. On foreign policy, he learned a lot from former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney when he was a minister in his government. Mr. Mulroney has also received awards from several international organizations for his foreign policy, which has been shaped in particular by the fight against the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and former European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet are among those to be honored by the Foreign Policy Association in the past.