Polar Knowledge Canada Collaborating for the Future Canada s Polar Agency December 1st, 2016 Kitikmeot Socioeconomic Monitoring Committee Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
What is Polar Knowledge Canada? Ø Ø Established on June 1 st, 2015, by merging the Canadian Polar Commission and the Canadian High Arctic Research Station s pan-northern science and technology program POLAR s horizontal function is based on the Canadian High Arctic Research Station Act (2014) to: Advance knowledge of the Canadian Arctic in order to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship and the quality of life of its residents and all other Canadians; Promote the development and dissemination of knowledge of the other circumpolar regions, including the Antarctic; Strengthen Canada s leadership on Arctic issues; Establish a hub for scientific research in the Canadian Arctic. 2
POLAR Ø Knowledge Management and Engagement function Ø Pan-northern Science and Technology program Ø The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) 3 3
We are making progress Speech from the Throne CHARS Act Royal Assent Appointments: Chair & President Triplexes Infrastructure Main Field & Building Maintenance Building Next 5-year S&T Plan 2007.. 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Construction begins POLAR into force June 1 Staffing in Cambridge Bay 5-year S&T Operational Plan and Implementation On-going consultations and partnerships 4
Activities 2016-17 Ø S&T funded projects 19 multi-year (Pan-Northern) Research includes: sea ice measuring and forecasting, water quality monitoring, wildlife health, environmental health, climate change, cryosphere and vegetation monitoring, permafrost, alternative and renewable energy Ø Science in the Environmental Reference Area (ERA) Wildlife health related to climate change (microscopic organism, slugs, arthropods, muskox, char) Baseline monitoring (fresh water, marine, ice, vegetation) Installed instruments weather station and river gauges, soil gas monitoring towers, marine current and temperature monitoring Sea Ice thickness and energy balance, marine carbon cycle 5
Science Excellence through Collaboration Ø Ekaluktutiak HTO Char Study-Elder & Youth Camp Arctic char knowledge sharing camp: bringing elders, youth and scientists together to bridge the gap between knowledge systems POLAR and KIA both funders Ø Wildlife Health Research and Disease Ecology Studying the changes in Muskox health due to parasites and climate change Ø Kitikmeot Heritage Society Community Research Guide Guidebook for Research with Nunavut Communities 6
Activities 2016-17 Ø Capacity Building and Training Science camps in Cambridge Bay Ages 6-15 ACTUA -22 Nunavut communities (882 youth in the Kitikmeot region) Environmental Technology Program at Nunavut Arctic College Ø Outreach and Engagement Open house in Cambridge Bay, Radio Interviews Kitikmeot Trade show, Kitikmeot Career Fair, National Inuit Youth Summit POLAR updates Consultations with the territorial science advisors Ø Facilitating information exchange with partners Ocean Climate discussion Northern housing workshop Promote connecting Canada s Arctic with a multi-user fibre optic Coastal Expert Group Kitikmeot Region Science - marine, freshwater, coastal, and terrestrial 7
Employment in Cambridge Bay Ø Employment in Cambridge Bay Summer students (5) Current full-time staffing process (entry and senior level positions) Analysts, scientists, researchers, technicians (field and laboratories), administrative assistants Communications Manager Facilities Manager 8
Infrastructure Update Ø CHARS Campus Triplexes completed and occupied 850+ visiting researcher days in 2016 Staff Housing 8 three-bedroom houses, multiplex (8 units) & duplex (2 units) under construction (April 2017) Field and Maintenance Building Complete by November 2016 Commissioning to take place over the winter for April 2017 occupancy Main Research Building Exterior construction to be complete November 2017 Interior construction to be complete August 2017 Credit: Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation 9 Credit: Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation
Looking Forward Ø Attract more Kitikmeot residents Increase communication of opportunities in Cambridge Bay More information on how to apply for Government jobs Inuit Centre of Excellence (Pillimaksaivik) to coordinate and support Government of Canada Inuit employment and training opportunities Ø Community engagement Participate and support Cambridge Bay community events (e.g. Kitikmeot Trade show, Kitikmeot Inuit Association 40 th Anniversary, Kitikmeot Heritage Society 20 th Anniversary, Omingmak Frolics, Clothing drives, etc.) Ø Partnership with Kitikmeot organizations Partner with Kitikmeot Inuit Association in employment and training opportunities Community-based monitoring (EHTO) Science needs and requirements from communities 10
Quana! Qujannamiik! Thank You! Contact Us: Email: Info@polar.gc.ca Instagram: polar.knowledge (EN) savoir.polaire (FR) Twitter: @POLARCanada (EN) @POLAIRECanada (FR) Facebook: Polar Knowledge Canada (EN) Savoir polaire Canada (FR) Website: http://www.canada.ca/en/polar-knowledge/ (English) http://www.canada.ca/fr/savoir-polaire/index.html (Français) S 11