The Canadian Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act of 1970 and the Concept of Self-Protection.

• Main Author: Graham, Gerald
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Carleton University, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs 1974
• Subjects: Marine pollution; Oil pollution; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Canada; Northwest Passage; Northwest passage
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1834/17633

This Masters Thesis examines the status of the Canadian Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act of 1970 under Public International Law. The legislation was introduced following the 1969 transit of the Northwest Passage by the American tanker SS Manhattan. The Act was considered as one way Canada could demonstrate the exercise of national sovereignty over Arctic waters, as well as protect the fragile Arctic environment. Masters The thesis concluded that while the Act was no doubt legal under international law, the Canadian government could have made a better case for it in international legal and diplomatic circles had it invoked the doctrine of 'self-protection' to defend it rather thnt the much more narrow doctrine of 'self-defence'.