Canada's Harper rebukes US over Arctic claims in first address - Forbes.com

Canada's Harper rebukes US over Arctic claims in first address - Forbes.com

OTTAWA (AFX) - Prime Minister-elect Stephen Harper blasted Washington's denial of Canada's Arctic sovereignty, reducing expectations that his new Conservative government would seek closer US ties.

Canada's first conservative prime minister in 12 years was expected to try to improve the sometimes-tense relations that outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin had with Washington.

But in his first public address Thursday, Harper chided US Ambassador David Wilkins for lambasting his plans to bolster Canada's Arctic military presence.

'The United States defends its sovereignty. The Canadian government will defend our sovereignty,' Harper told reporters outside the House of Commons.

'I've been very clear in the campaign that we have significant plans for national defense and for defense of our sovereignty, including Arctic sovereignty,' he said.

Canada's northern territorial claims became an election issue following reports that a US submarine traveled unannounced through Canadian Arctic waters in December.

Harper pledged to spend 5.3 bln cad over five years to 'dramatically increase Canada's military presence' north of the 60th parallel and 'make it clear to foreign governments -- including the United States -- that naval vessels traveling in Canadian territorial waters will require the consent of the government of Canada.'