THROUGH ARCTIC EYES - CANADA AND ANTARCTICA, 1945-62

This archival study investigates the nature and development of Canadia n attitudes and policy towards Antarctica between 1945 and 1962. Throu ghout this period, the key continuity was the tendency to view Antarct ic affairs from an arctic perspective. Canada, though becoming more pr eoccupied with the Arctic and avoiding active involvement in Antarctic a, found it difficult to ignore the more remote and distant southern p olar region. Although the Arctic and Antarctic are distinct regions in geographical, political, legal and other terms, they are both polar r egions subject to a range of seemingly analogous controversies. As a r esult, certain post-1945 developments affecting Antarctica were deemed of potential relevance to its northern counterpart, thereby encouragi ng the Canadian government to consider the nature of its political, le gal, scientific and other interests in Antarctica. Canada's efforts to remain on the sidelines were qualified by the fact that Antarctica wa s treated as a significant policy interest by other states-most notabl y, Australia, Britain and the United States-which not only kept the Ca nadian government well informed about developments but also asked freq uently for its views. In 1959 the conclusion of the Antarctic Treaty f orced the Canadian government to consider whether or not to accede to the treaty. In the event, the government, guided by a series of interd epartmental exchanges, decided against accession, which did not take p lace until 1988.