2014 Political Studies Students' Conference - Canada and the ARctic: Challenges and Opportunities

Please click here to see the article about 2014 PSSC.
Please click below links to see the panel summaries from 2014 PSSC
Panel 1        Panel 2        Panel 3         Panel 4           Panel 5          Panel 6

The 2014 edition of the PSSC marks the 30th anniversary of the conference. In keeping with a tradition of stimulating discussion on topical issues, the theme of this conference will be “Canada and the Arctic: Challenges and Opportunities”. The conference will consist of five panels spread over three days, with each panel dedicated to analyzing a distinct aspect of the Arctic and Canada’s involvement in the region. Each panel will be composed of several speakers. The format will be interactive and discussion-based. Experts from Canada and around the world have been invited to present their research and ideas.

The PSSC is organized, designed and run by graduate and senior undergraduate students from the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba. Held annually since 1985, the PSSC has earned a stellar reputation among the academic community, government officials, and students across Canada, the United States and Europe. The students are all volunteers. They are responsible for picking the theme of the conference, deciding on and arranging for speakers to come to the University of Manitoba, raising all of the funds for the conference, publicizing the event, organizing speaker accommodation and meals, reserving a suitable venue, ensuring audio-visual resources are in place, moderating the panels and arranging for all of the wrap up. The public and important stake holders are invited to attend and engage in the debate. This year’s PSSC co-chairs are Ms. Alison Kimlinger (MA candidate) and Mr. Elikem Tsamenyi (MA candidate) and Mr. Richard Farthing-Nichol (undergraduate candidate). Drs. Andrea Charron and James Fergusson are the faculty volunteers.

Canada and the Arctic: Challenges and Opportunities
January 29-31, 2014
The Great Hall, University College, University of Manitoba

Please Click here for PDF version of Agenda and click here for information about speakers)

 

Wednesday, January 29th

1:00 Conference Introduction
Dr. Andrea Charron, Center for Defence and Security Studies, University of Manitoba

1:10 Opening Remarks
Dr. David T. Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manitoba

1:20 The Paul Buteux Lecture
Mr. Bernard Funston, Former Chair of the Canadian Polar Commission

2:30 Coffee

2:45 Panel One – The People and Culture of the North

Moderator: Dr. Chris Trott, Department of Native Studies, University of Manitoba
                   Dr. Tracey Galloway, Department of Anthropology, University of Manitoba
                   Dr. Timothy Pasch, Communication Program, University of North Dakota
                   Dr. Darlene Coward Wight, Curator of Inuit Art, Winnipeg Art Gallery

Thursday, January 30th

10:00 Panel Two - Science and the Climate
Moderator: Dr. Brent Else, Centre for Earth Observation and Science, University of Manitoba
                   Ms. Emily Choy, Fresh Water Institute, University of Manitoba
                   Dr. C.J. Mundy, Centre for Earth Observation and Science, University of Manitoba
                   Dr. Gary Stern, Centre for Earth Observation and Science, University of Manitoba
                   Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba

11:30 Lunch

1:00 Panel Three – Resources and Economic Development

Moderator: Dr. Adolf Ng, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba
                   Michele Taylor, Director General of the Prairie and Northern Region, Transport Canada
                   Mr. Ross Coen, Department of History, University of Washington
                   Dr. Jackie Dawson, Department of Geography, University of Ottawa
                   Rebecca Pikor, Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba

2:30 Coffee

2:45 Panel Four – Northern Governance

Moderator: Dr. Andrea Charron, Center for Defence and Security Studies, University of Manitoba
                   Mr. Hjálmar Waag Hannesson, Iceland’s Consular General to Winnipeg
                   Mr. Jose-Antonio Torres-Lacasa, Delegation of the European Union to Canada
                   Dr. Peter Kulchyski, Department of Native Studies, University of Manitoba
                   Dr. John English, Trinity College, University of Toronto

Friday, January 31st

9:30 Panel Five – Safety and Security
Moderator: Dr. Jim Fergusson, Center for Defence and Security Studies, University of Manitoba
                   Mr. Yves Jacques, Arctic Marine Corridor Project Coordinator, Central and Arctic Region, Canadian Coast Guard
                   Dr. Robert Huebert, Department of Political Science, University of Calgary
                   Colonel Joel Roy, 17 Wing Commander, Canadian Forces

11:00 Coffee

11:30 Panel Six –Canada’s Arctic Future

Moderator: Dr. Jeffery Taylor, Dean of Arts, University of Manitoba
                   Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, Department of History, University of Waterloo
                   Dr. Suzanne Lalonde, Faculty of Law, University of Montreal
                   Dr. Andrea Charron, Center for Defence and Security Studies, University of Manitoba