Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Britannica Sources used in this answer

What conditions did Canada place on international commerce through the Northwest Passage?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map of the Arctic region highlighting the Northwest Passage, a maritime route shown with a red line connecting the Atlantic Ocean near Greenland to the Pacific Ocean via the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, passing north of Canada and Alaska through the Bering Sea. Major islands and surrounding countries such as Russia, Norway, Denmark (Greenland), the United States (Alaska), and Canada are labeled.
Northwest Passage

Canada has indicated that it would welcome international commerce through the Northwest Passage, provided that vessels adhere to pollution-control regulations.1

Furthermore, the Canadian Coast Guard ensures that all ships navigating Canadian waters, including those in the Arctic, comply with the requirements of the Canada Shipping Act and follow established pollution-prevention procedures. While Canada has maintained sovereignty over the Arctic Archipelago since 1880, it is important to note that some nations, including the United States, have historically contended that portions of the passage constitute international waters.21