On 31 January 2023, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research (the Committee) decided to undertake a study on the science and research needs in Canada’s Arctic in relation to climate change. During its study, the Committee held seven meetings between 9 May 2024 and 11 June 2024. It heard from 34 witnesses and received five briefs.

While Canada’s Arctic is a broad area with many different types of natural environments and communities, the Committee heard about common impacts of climate change across the region, such as melting sea ice, thawing permafrost, the increased frequency of extreme weather events, and changing ecosystems, with consequential impacts on the lives of Arctic residents.

Witnesses spoke to a variety of existing Arctic research programs, such as the Canadian High Arctic Research Station and the Polar Continental Shelf Program, but highlighted ongoing gaps and challenges related to:

• the high costs of conducting research in the Arctic;
• limited research infrastructure;
• supporting the development of Arctic researchers;
• increasing research coordination;
• building collaborative relationships with communities;
• supporting Indigenous leadership in research initiatives;
• increasing capacity in environmental monitoring; and
• limited support for areas of Arctic study beyond the environment.

Beyond research, the Committee also heard about other supports that would strengthen Arctic communities and Canada’s international reputation as an Arctic state.

The evidence compiled by the Committee led to 20 recommendations for the Government of Canada to strengthen science and research capacity in Canada’s Arctic, especially in order to address climate change and its impacts. In particular, the Committee recommends the development of a comprehensive Arctic research strategy to identify priorities and long-term goals for Arctic research in Canada.