Interest in and Public Perceptions of Canadian Arctic Sovereignty: Evidence from Editorials, 2000–2014

Abstract

The media have been presented as influential actors shaping how Canadians relate to their Arctic and formulating policy recommendations to federal decision-makers. However, media coverage of Canadian Arctic sovereignty (CAS) has not been studied over a long period of time, and anecdotal evidence and specific case studies constitute the bulk of our knowledge of the media's take on CAS. The following article offers a contribution to detail the nature of media perceptions and policy recommendations on Arctic issues. To do so, 647 opinion texts published in 23 different Canadian newspapers were collected to offer both quantitative and qualitative insights. Once compared with fluctuations in public opinion and governmental involvement, we conclude that the media can follow, playing a passive role reacting to (and not preceding) political messaging and current events, and lead, recommending alternative ideas and perceptions, depending on the circumstances.