NOT OLD BARRIERS BUT NEW FORMS OF COOPERATION

Not Only Neighbours But Partners

Mitko Valery,
professor

        The geological and political usefulness of the Russian-Canadian cooperation efforts in solving the problems of the Arctic and the North depends on a number of factors. Both Russia and Canada are the northern most countries and have the largest portion of the world's northern territories and ethnic minority population. They share a common maritime border irrespective of their territorial demarcation in the Arctic. These countries also have common problems in regards to ecology, resources, development and transportation, including international links.
        Russia and Canada cover over 90% of the circumpolar world territories. The Canadian and Russian northern regions are very similar in their weather and climate conditions, in the structural specificities of their resources and in their main economic activities. The Russian-Canadian scientific and technical cooperation efforts developed in the first half of the 80-s, were already oriented back then towards a solution to the problems in the North: its natural resources, the protection of its environment, its people and culture and finally, its transportation, construction and housing.
        Through out the last fifteen years, Canada and Russia have shared their experience in the planning and building of northern towns and settlements, and in the construction and maintenance of housing. In the Sakha (Yakutia) and Komi Republics, as well as in the Murmansk and Toumen areas, Canadian specialists learned the principles of calculation and layout of permafrost for multi-floor building foundations and all-purpose construction. In turn, Russian specialists studied the project design, construction and maintenance of urban areas in the Canadian northwest, the Yukon and northern Quebec. They were particularly drawn by the precise organization of all stages in the process: the project design, the financing (including the credit and mortgage systems), the construction and the maintenance of cottages for the population.
        Though Canada and Russia have similar conditions, the differences between them must also be taken into account. Russia is the coldest. The northern most Canadian cities are on the same latitude as Kiev and Kursk, which refutes the likeness between these countries. Russia is among a dozen countries to have a maximum area suitable for living of 5.51 mln sq. kilometers (that is, whose altitude does not exceed 2000 m and where the average temperature is 2?C). Russia, unlike Canada, is laid out in long strips making transportation and government difficult. These geological and political factors require a specific approach: to provide life support for permanent population settlement in the North.
        It is interesting to note that even in severe weather conditions, Canadians do not use centralized heating, water supply or sewage, but prefer autonomous systems with a well organized engineering maintenance of the entire infrastructure. It is the legal documentation, which regulates the design and construction in northern Russia and Canada that is of particular interest. An example of a joint venture is the construction of a Canadian settlement near Yakutsk by "Fergusson, Simek, Clark" and the initiate of the Sakha Republic. The Republic's art school was located there. The construction firm raised two apartment blocks (1000 apartments total) and an airport building. This project proved that Canadian construction technology justifies itself in the Russian North.
        Canadians continue to pay attention to the specific problems of northern housing and city construction. The international "CIRCUMPOLAR HOUSING FORUM-98" took place in Yellowknife, the main city of the Northwest territories, where the issues of northern housing improvement and comfortable living were discussed. The chairman of the forum R. Dogerty, chairman of the Canada North Project Ltd. paid close attention to the plans for further introduction of Canadian construction technology into northern Russia. They include the creation of a Canadian business center in Vladivostok and the construction of distinctive houses for display in Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Yakutsk. Canada's priority is to create comfortable and affordable housing in east and northeast Russia, to support Russian constructors and investors in the construction, management and financing of energy efficient housing and finally, to jump-start the production of construction materials for housing using effective technology.
        The following conclusion is a result of the Russian and Canadian experience: the expeditionary method of production in the North should be changed to a regional shift method. An example is the development of the diamond deposits in the Canadian Northwest territories. Houses are being built for constructors and miners in the base town Yellowknife, while simultaneously developing a seasonal settlement 300 km to the North, next to the diamond deposit. This projected community has a hostel, a cafeteria, a medical center and a sports hall. Workers will fly in for 2-3 week shifts. In this way, the totality of the investment in diamond development remains in the North and benefits the northern population.
        This is even more important for Russia. We hope the government will drive gas and oil monopolists to develop Nadym, New Urengoy and other base cities in northwest Siberia, building homes for workers and their families and raising small settlements for seasonal shifts. This goal can be attained only through a balanced interaction between the central government, the regions and the investment and manufacturing sector. Russia still has a long way to go.
        The Canadian government split the northwest region into two administrative and territorial units in order to improve the process of northern development. Global problems are solved in Canada's east and French-speaking Quebec, where native-Americans still live. The experience gained in the construction and maintenance of the towns of Koojuak, Povoongnitook, Salluit, Ivuivik, Akulivik, among others, is extremely valuable.
        During the last world meeting in Quebec, participants emphasized the fact that the correct use and development of the Arctic is impossible without a deep knowledge of the North and its problems. The Quebec meeting concluded that the most effective means is the regular congregation of scientists, specialists and managers to discuss the situation and to share their experience.
        Both the Forum in Yellowknife and the summit in Quebec determined to hold these meetings on a regular basis. They should also take place in St. Petersburg, the traditionally recognized center of northern science and northern ethnological studies. We can only support the opinion of the Canadian minister of foreign affairs, Lloyd Eksuorsi, who said: "Canada and Russia are northern countries with common climate conditions and common ecological problems such as nuclear waste disposal and environmental protection for both people and animals. This calls for cooperation in international and civil rights protection. We must become good partners in solving these issues."