Could populating Canada's North help combat climate change?

As Canadian climate scientists look for ways to save the North, Irvin Studin argues the North could save the rest of Canada. The president of the Institute for 21st Century Questions and publisher of Global Brief magazine explains why he believes immigration to the North needs to grow.

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[jptrainor]

I listened to the whole interview. I didn't hear how populating the north combats climate change. Is the title inaccurate?

[panama-canada]

If Russia and Canada are neighbours to the north, lets partner up and diversify our economy that’s overly dependent on just one market - the US.

[infopackrat]

His argument had nothing to do with climate change but more Canada's strategic place in the north.

[quebecoisforce]

Seriously what is this crazy thing this guy is talking about.

[BrandonSchleifer]

I am strongly opposed to the current state of Canada's immigration policy. However, if the government sent the immigrants to the Arctic, I'd support it. We settled the west with immigrants from Russia. Unfortunately, our current immigrants are clustering in cities, putting pressure on already stressed social relief programs like homeless shelters. When you move immigrants into the city, they become competition for those already there. Move them to the wilderness, and they become frontiersmen and pioneers.

[rodneysekora]

The CBC should move their office up north so they can work in 40 below weather and then all the other people would come and build plantations so they could grow bananas pineapples with the global warming

[markjohnson]

Wait until they find out Nestle has sucked out all the water before they got there. lol

[Blackmark]

The guy makes a lot of sense. Canadians have a laissez-faire attitude about our ownership of the north that other countries don't necessarily share. We either use it (settle it) or lose it.

[teddybear]

This guy is right I'd go help build a new city up north

[ghostspectre]

So build a Wal-Mart in Nunavut. Watch the Black Friday rush.

[MrAlene]

This guy has the right idea however he has not idea of the political, economic, social impact this would have on the country. For once this would require millions of dollars in infrastructure, roads to the north would have to build or rail lines. Perhaps existing cities like Churchill, Fort McMurray, or White horse should be converted into special districts ( tax free zones for instance) so more companies and business can moves up north an create more opportunities for people to move. Furthermore I would advise the federal government to invest in indoor growing houses all over Canada this would benefit all Canadians specially people on the north were the prices of groceries sometimes reach 3 times the amount.

[haris]

Since Climate Change is clearing up North, we Canadians have to change our attitude towards North. We should start packing and settle up North. Government should big incentives to move people up there for next 50 to 60 years and see how it works out. I am willing to settle up there if I get good incentives.

[ronaldlytez]

The island of Guadeloupe is a paradise island with spacious natural settings, abundant vegetation, a beautiful sea, and tropical climate. This island belonging to France has mass jungles perfect for nature lovers.

[stachelissaflint]

So let me get this straight, this dude wants people to move people to one of the most expensive areas in the country for basic necessities.

[lifeisawesome]

Why do they call him a climate scientist? He is a soccer player, with a le degree, that edits a politics magazine. That is not a climate scientist.

[quebecoisforce]

We should send all the credulous that beleive the scam live there and let us and our money alone.

[BrandonSchleifer]

How about this: if you are dependent on government handouts, the government gets to tell you where to live. Instead of lining rich people's pockets by paying overinflated urban rent, build Arctic infrastructure and send the poor and homeless there

[Ynoesdedios]

Its going to happen. So get your money and buy strategic north land to invest!

[Sartorius]

His argument for why we settled in the south is ridiculous. We built the railways and the roads in the south because it is less costly to build, closer to the US, our main trading partner even back then, and yes, because people want to live there.

[markjohnson]

From my research for 'The Log of the Kensington Rune Stone' You Tube, looking at the late 1200's to early 1300's before the 'little ice age'. I found written records that the World was 8 degrees warmer and agrarian societies where growing and flourishing in the Northern Hemisphere. Go North young man go North the new frontier.