Regional Analysis

Regional Analysis

Introduction

The fascinating thing about the Arctic region is that despite its remoteness, low population, and hostile climate, it is still of high interest in the current politics. Using the environmental point of view, the polar region is highly connected with the rest of the world. Canada is the second-largest country in the world after Russia. More than 40% of the landmass is located in the Arctic, which including Northern territories like Yukon, Nunavut, and the Arctic coastline, which constitutes a total of 75% of Canada’s coastline (Bone, 2018). Despite this, Canada’s presence and knowledge in its Arctic North have been less or more absent. Differing views exist among those who live and are committed to the North and the outsiders (Stadel, 2009).  To cover more in about Canada, this work will focus on four key areas starting with the economic, environmental, and cultural consequences of viewing Nunavut of the territorial North as Canada’s last frontier and whether the homeland and frontier’s view are compatible with one another (Bone, 2018). Also, the extent to which Atlantic Canada should depend on megaprojects to improve the region’s economic fortunes is considered. Besides, a comparison of western Canada’s economy with that of British Columbia is studied in addition to what the future looks like for British Columbia as a region of Canada.

1. What are the economic, environmental, and cultural consequences of viewing Nunavut of the Territorial North as “Canada’s last frontier?” Are the frontier and homeland views of this region compatible with one another?

Economic

Nunavut of the territorial north stands is Canada’s latter frontier supporting mining activities; hence most manufacturing companies are found in this region. The region cannot support agriculture due to its icy climate conditions. Almost every known mineral can be found in this region, such as gold, lead, copper, silver, zinc, natural gas, diamonds, and oils, which spur economic development (Stevenson, 2012). The economy is also mixed since people living here have previously depended on renewable sources such as trapping and fishing and hunting. The mining industry majorly employs non-indigenous people. It contains an approximate of 160 billion barrels of crude oil that can be used for five years around the globe before depletion (Stevenson, 2012).

Environmental

Nunavut is known for conditions like elongated seasons of darkness, hurricane-strength storms, poor visibility, and extreme cold seasons. These seasons affect the working environment and make Nunavut extremely difficult to access. During winter, the standard temperatures range from -30; thus, very low sunshine is experienced (Faris & Lackenbauer, 2009). Wind chills are about -70. The arctic Nunavut melted its ice in 2012 to the lowest level possible. The sea ice fell to about 1.58 million square miles (Faris & Lackenbauer, 2009). This was 27000 square below the 2007 sea ice of about 1.61 million square miles (Faris & Lackenbauer, 2009). However, the constant melting of arctic ice males it quite economical to transport carbon components and products to industries to support production.

Cultural

The Northern hemisphere Nunavut received explorers and traders who followed the traditional lifestyle. They traded to earn a living. Nunavut is a home for about 33,000 indigenous people. The birth rate is very high, above the national average. The population is continuously increasing, and it has thus far doubled since the Second World War. People hold international sporting activities like Arctic Winter Games held every two years (Faris & Lackenbauer, 2009). Games include figure skating, speed skating, alpine skiing, and snowboarding. Also, athletes compete in traditional and unique circumpolar sports. The sports include Inuit games, dog mushing, and snowshoeing (Stadel, 2009). These winter games allow Northern athletes to get together and celebrate their culture.  A territorial bird such as Gyrfalcon, which is most abundant in the falcon family, is found in the Arctic islands. These are fast fliers and skilled hunters. Territorial flowers include mountain Avens, which make up little white and yellow flowers, usually found in high and rocky areas (Sloan Morgan et al. 2019). Nahanni River Legends is known for its magnificent white water rapids and beautiful wilderness. However, in the time of Klondike Gold Rush, the area was said to be troubled by ghosts of gold prospectors who had gone disappeared while passing through the Nahanni to Yukon.

Are the frontier and homeland views of the Nunavut region compatible with one another?

These are not compatible. This is because of the frontier advocates for the exploitation of natural resources in Nunavut while homeland shows users about the indigenous land and sea of the community that lived there (Burns, 2017). The homeland view is conceived through the rich history and cultural diversity of the region while the frontier view is homogenous, more recent, and Eurocentric (Faris & Lackenbauer, 2009). The concept of homeland originates from the people who live and work there while the frontier view has southern roots. The former is enthused by thousands of years of land usage, while the concluding is encouraged by a longing to exploit the natural wealth in the region.

2. To what extent can/should Atlantic Canada depend on megaprojects to improve the region’s economic fortunes?

The idea of megaprojects was interrogated from the period the lengthy list of megaprojects was presented in the 1970s and wiped by the economic decline in the 1980s (del Cerro Santamaría, 2019). The critics supposed that megaprojects only thrive in a condition of certainty. Megaprojects are majorly planned for the future that will start between 5 and 10 years, and extend to between 25 and 30 years (Bott, 2015). Megaprojects do not just enter the economic scheme progressively; however, they represent a significant jump into productive capacity. The opportunity costs are based on the underlying economics of the project in question.

The megaprojects would help in the opening of Labradors and Newfoundland renewable power, such as the Lower Churchill project. The growth in renewable sources of energy would lead to significant growth in capital investments and businesses. These activities boost economic development. Indirect activities from megaprojects include services, equipment acquired, and materials used (Baldacchino, 2007). Direct sources of development include engineering and construction activities — significant cities in Atlantic Canada experience essential growth as a result of the megaprojects. St. Johns and Charlottetown have experienced about 9% of population growth, while Halifax has experienced around 5% of growth (Polese, 2006). Moncton has experienced around 10% of population growth in the last two centuries (Bott, 2015). Towns such as Labrador and Newfoundland have recorded significant growth in its rural regions.

Megaprojects have led to notable growth in employment. A significant number of people are moving from rural areas to cities to utilize the opportunities rising. These numbers, in turn, create a need for more schools, better roads, unique roads, and new housing (Jaffee, 2019). Rental facilities are better hospital facilities that are introduced to support the growing population. Labrador and Newfoundland have gained a significant deal with Hebron partners that will ensure that the two gain around 4.9% equity stake of $20 billion worth valued on funds and royalties from the whole mineral exploitation process (Bott, 2015). In that megaproject, Hebron has to account for around 55% of Newfoundland and Labradors Oil production from 2017 to 2037 (Bott, 2015).

What other avenues offer potential as far as future economic growth is concerned?

There are other resource-related projects in Greenland and Baffin Island, which are part of the Megaprojects. These areas have significant potentials; however, they will take time to grow. After that, they will create significant opportunities for Atlantic Canada (Storey & Hamilton, 2003). The seasonality of the project would also call for significant support from hub ports in the region.

Consequently, the megaprojects offer supply service providers services in Atlantic Canada to attract mega businesses. The supply chain service includes a provision of such as competitive transport system, which is efficient and focused on human resources, which quickly and adequately access the major roads (Stevenson, 2012). Besides, the megaprojects are concerned with the need for excellent management skills. This will ensure that the skills match the fast growth of development in Atlantic Canada.

3. Compare and contrast Western Canada’s economy with that of British Columbia. To what extent is Western Canada’s reliance on agriculture, similar to the role of the forest industry in BC?

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) aims at developing and diversifying the regional economy. It invests in activities and projects which increase productivity and competitiveness through commercialization, adoption of new technology as well as business processes. In 2017, British Columbia was the second-fastest-growing provincial economy with +3.7 (Luffman & Sussman, 2007).

Differences

Western Canada has significant lakes on the south in Manitoba as well as in the Hudson Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the second-largest basin in the globe. British Columbia has a specific ocean to the west, which is the broadest and deepest basin in the world. Besides, it has the Rocky Mountains in its west, which acts as an essential tourist destination (Schwantes, 2017). Either the highly densely populated region in western Canada has a highly developed economy as a result of its vast population; thus, it influences the dominion. However, British Columbia is less populated and depends on agricultural activities such as forestry and fishing to make a living.

Western Canada is involved in trade and business with stock exchange operations taking place in the region. Besides, most imports and exports from and to the United States are done in western Canada because of high technology in the region (Dunn, 2016). However, it is challenging to access British Columbia as a result of its rocky mountains on the border. Thus it was not possible to carry out business and trade until railways were built.

Similarities

Both British Columbia and Western Canada have areas that are densely populated. Regions like lower Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland in British Columbia have large populations (Polese, 2006). Western Canada has regions that are highly populated majorly along Lake Ontario.

To what extent is Western Canada’s reliance on agriculture, similar to the role of the forest industry in BC?

British Columbia has a high number of natural resources in addition to many trees. There has been a creation of the forest industry to exploit the materials. British Columbia economy majorly depends on forest exploitations to hold the economy and provide employment opportunities (Nevitte, 2017). In western Canada, its economy depends majorly on agriculture, which is done on large scale terms. A crop growing in Western Canada is a substantial foundation of work, just like the Forest business is to British Columbia.

4. Speculate as to British Columbia’s future as a region of Canada. In 25 years, will it be classed as a core region or as a periphery region? What factors will impact on the region’s future development?

Just like the way immigration has shaped Metro Vancouver in the past, it will continue to do so in the future for British Columbia. In 25 years, as a result of climate change, many immigrants will flow in the region. People will increasingly flee the unbearable weather conditions in their regions (Xu et al. 2018). Vancouver coast will offer refuge to climatic refugees due to its features like temperate climate and beautiful coastlines.

Twenty-five years from now, British Columbia will be known as a core region because of the continuous exploitation done in the region.  This will lead to a rise in general development and industries as well.

What factors will impact on the region’s future development?

Business skills and entrepreneurship will impact future growth in this region. Homegrown businesses will be expanding its operations, unlike attracting external investors in the region (Sloan Morgan et al., 2019). Having many small business owners possessing the skills and capacity to take risks, manage financial assets, and tolerance to grow their firms will be critical traits.

The fishing industry has remained a vital source of economic growth and expansion. Fish processing has significantly dropped. However, it is now revived in most regions in association with aquaculture (Schwantes, 2017).

Mining activities of the natural resources in British Columbia will result in positive impacts on infrastructure and economic expansion. It will create more employment opportunities for people in the region.

Consequently, the development and creation of the property development industry in 2016 has led to growth in a gross domestic product, which is reported to be around $ 22.9 million (Schwantes 2017). Also, forest creation industries in British Columbia has created job opportunities and enhanced capital spending. Thus it has led to British Columbia’s economic growth. More than 130 communities in Columbia depend on the forest to make a living, making it such a valuable industry. It is also a leading industry in the exportation of processed forest products.

The region has a cold climate, majorly influenced by the North Pacific Ocean. The Ocean is a critical transportation system in which the logs from the forest and transported to industries. The cold climate condition in the area acts as a tourist destination center. Thus the increase in revenue in the region will result in economic growth (Xu et al., 2018).

British Columbia experiences temperature ranges of 1.3 to 2.7 degrees Celsius increase. This range is expected to grow further in the next 25 years bringing along severe sicknesses, thus affecting economic growth. This is because continuous sicknesses will lead to reduced productivity and a lower number of workforces. Besides, dangerous pests and diseases will come along with this kind of climate change. These will affect animals, agriculture, and human beings to a great extent. Besides, the annual rainfall is expected to increase from 2% to around 12% (Bott, 2015). However, summers will more dry than the normal range, which will affect farming in the region. As a result of the following dry seasons, wildfires will be expected to increase. Also, increased precipitations will lead to damage to buildings and infrastructures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are important economic, cultural, and environmental consequences of viewing Nunavut as Canada’s last frontier. There are extreme environmental consequences like extreme cold seasons, extended seasons of darkness, and poor visibility. Either megaproject will help in unlocking Labradors as well as Newfoundland renewable power, among other aspects that would contribute to business development. Additionally, the study depicted considerable differences and similarities between western Canada’s economy and that of British Columbia. Twenty-five years from now, British Columbia will be viewed as the core region due to the rise in the development of the region.

References

Bone, R. M. (2018). The regional geography of Can
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Baldacchino, G. (2007). Fixed links and the engagement of islandness: reviewing the impact of the Confederation Bridge. The Canadian Geographer/Le Géographe Canadien, 51(3), 323-336.

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Burns, R. I. (2017). The significance of the frontier in the Middle Ages. In The Medieval Frontiers of Latin Christendom (pp. 53-76). Routledge.

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Farish, M., & Lackenbauer, P. W. (2009). High modernism in the Arctic: planning Frobisher Bay and Inuvik. Journal of Historical Geography, 35(3), 517-544.