There is an ongoing affliction that has a tremendous effect on Albertans. It is a condition is most prevalent in landlocked societies. Akin to shortsightedness, this visual impairment leaves one with a myopic outlook on life, which, ultimately, if left unchecked, will have huge economic repercussions. What is this egregious malady? Simply put, it is called Maritime Blindness.
We are not talking about the Maritime provinces. Rather, think of the word maritime as it pertains to sailing on the sea or conducting commerce by way of sea. It also refers to one’s proximity to the sea. In this case, we quickly realize that Canada has far more than three maritime provinces. In fact, there are only two provinces that are not immediately connected to the high seas via navigable waters: Saskatchewan and Alberta.
All remaining provinces and territories are maritime entities. Obviously in our great nation, which spans from sea to sea to sea, we know that we have east, west and north coasts. We also have, believe it or not, a southern coast of which includes the waterways and tributaries of the Great Lakes Basin. More than 60 per cent of our population lives near the Great Lakes, which connect to the world’s oceans, and so it is not hard to fathom that the majority of our nation’s enterprise relies on access to safe passage on the sea-lanes.
Prime Minister Harper, when addressing veterans and dignitaries at the unveiling of a Royal Canadian Naval monument at Richmond Landing, B.C., last May, stated emphatically, “Canada is a maritime nation, a maritime nation with trade, commerce and interests around the world. Surrounded as we are by three oceans, it can truly be said that Canada and its economy float on salt water.”
Such an economy is vulnerable.
Enter Alberta, a province that is far removed from the sea. Our province has an abundance of resources, much of which is exported. Then there are imports. We casually go to our favourite stores to buy our favourite commodities but rarely, if ever, do we give a second thought to how these goods got here. Most likely they came by sea but unfortunately, maritime blindness sets in.
Recently returned from his annual trek to Canada’s North, which included participating in aspects of the Canadian Forces Operation NANOOK, our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has reinforced the need for Canadians to understand the need to develop the north. This includes safeguarding the waterways upon which northern communities and outposts rely for provisioning. Other nations, including Russia, also have eyes on the north. We thus must set aside the rose-coloured glasses of status quo and seek to cure our maritime blindness.
At the Richmond Landing dedication, Harper mentioned one of the solutions to curing maritime blindness. He said, “Canada and its economy float on salt water. Such a nation must have a navy.”
In the next few years, Canada will be building new classes of ships to safeguard our national interests. As to how many we need and what we need them to do – no Albertan should turn a blind eye to this vital question.
Tim Cusack is an educator, writer, and member of the RCN.
