Stephen Van Dine has worn a number of hats in the North, and heSA国际影视传媒檚 seeing potential economic storm clouds on the horizon.

Beginning his career in Inuvik as the first branch manager of the health insurance services office, heSA国际影视传媒檚 also been a part of what was then known as the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada regional office in Yellowknife.

After almost three decades in the public service, Van Dine said he was able to witness many facets of the NWT unfold. Now, the economy seems to be in a bit of jeopardy. With a mining industry that looks like its on its way out, an uptick in defence spending and foreign interest in the North, Van Dine shared his thoughts and advice on the future of this territory.

SA国际影视传媒淭he North is becoming a lot less isolated these days,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of foreign direct investment that is interested in finding its way into the Canadian North that may or may not be friendly.SA国际影视传媒�

One of those direct investments Van DineSA国际影视传媒檚 talking about is China. Earlier this year, he wrote a piece for the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI), a public policy think tank based in Ottawa.

In it, he writes about ChinaSA国际影视传媒檚 recent efforts in the Canadian Arctic, like acquiring existing stockpiles of the only rare earth minerals currently mined in Canada at the Nechalacho deposit.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen youSA国际影视传媒檙e removing critical minerals out of North America, youSA国际影视传媒檙e increasing North AmericaSA国际影视传媒檚 dependence on those countries that actually have this critical minerals. So that creates a risk,SA国际影视传媒� he explained. SA国际影视传媒淲hen there are interests that are actively pursuing and trying to undermine Canada and North American interests, I think the Northwest Territories probably wants to be sensitive to that.SA国际影视传媒�

Reinforcing his point, Van Dine also mentioned CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 recent pledge to increase its defence spending by tens of billions of dollars. That spike is supposed to be in defence of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Arctic and Northern regions.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat should be a fairly large signal to Northerners that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 growing global interest in whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on here,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Van Dine likened today with the Cold War when it comes to these concerns.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think weSA国际影视传媒檙e coming back to a period in time in which we need to be mindful of that history, but also acknowledge how things have changed SA国际影视传媒� and things have changed significantly.SA国际影视传媒�

Changes include RussiaSA国际影视传媒檚 war against Ukraine and greater shipping traffic in the Arctic regions. Van Dine said Canada is probably only now becoming more aware of its defence requirements for the Arctic. However, he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have any immediate concerns about tensions boiling over.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 believe that CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 investments or the announcements [in defence spending]SA国际影视传媒� suggests that Canada is going to escalate tensions. That could happen 25 years from now, but thatSA国际影视传媒檚 certainly not what situation weSA国际影视传媒檙e in now.SA国际影视传媒�

In the next few years, the downturn in the Northern economy could have much greater implications and affect peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 material lifestyle, he suggested.

SA国际影视传媒淭he mining sector is not looking particularly rosy at this at the moment,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding there needs to be a consistent set of messages from the GNWT to attract investors and guarantee there will be something else for this territory to invest in.

SA国际影视传媒淚f Northern governments could come together and work a little bit more coherently and collaboratively with a common message, then I think that could go a long way in attracting investment,SA国际影视传媒� said Van Dine.

And despite an uncertain and sometimes bleak outlook on the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 future, Van Dine said he still maintains high hopes overall.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think Northerners have a have a tremendous future ahead of them,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚n light of Graeme ClintonSA国际影视传媒檚 work that heSA国际影视传媒檚 done, what the [NWT & Nunavut] chamber of mines is pointing to, I think the new territorial government is quite excited about economic opportunity.SA国际影视传媒�