What are the research priorities of the Government of Canada Program for IPY?
As a key deliverable for International Polar Year, the Government of Canada is supporting a targeted science and research program focused on two of Canada’s most important challenges for its northern regions: science for climate change impacts and adaptation; and health and well-being of northern communities. Climate change is already evident in the Arctic, as witnessed by increases in average temperature that are almost double the global increases registered in recent decades, widespread melting of glaciers, declining ice and snow cover, and warming of permafrost. These changes, in turn, are affecting the Northern environment, its ecosystems, infrastructure, communities and economic sustainability. Improving the health outcomes and raising the health status of Canadians living in the North are national priorities and major public health objectives. IPY research will provide information to assist Northerners set their own policies and programs that contribute to improving the health an
