About Polar Knowledge Canada

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Introduction to Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR)

The mission of Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) is to conduct world-class cutting edge Arctic research. POLAR is responsible for advancing Canada's knowledge of the Arctic and strengthening Canadian leadership in polar science and technology. Polar Knowledge Canada was created by the Canadian High Arctic Research Act which came into force on June 1, 2015.

This federal organization combines the resources and knowledge of the former Canadian Polar Commission and the former Science and Technology program at Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada (INAC) into one organization. It anchors a strong research presence in Canada's Arctic that serves Canada and the world, and advances Canada's knowledge of the Arctic in order to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship, and the quality of life of Northerners and all Canadians. POLAR supports the Government of Canada's commitment to and respect of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

POLAR operates out of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.

POLAR is led by:

  • a nine member Board of Directors responsible for operational planning and budget oversight
  • a President, who is responsible to the Board for the agency's day-to-day operations.

Raison d'ĂȘtre

POLAR is a federal agency (departmental corporation) that was established with the coming into force of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station Act on June 1, 2015. The Act merged the mandate and functions of the former Canadian Polar Commission and the pan-northern science and technology program associated with the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) project of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).

Mandate

The purpose of POLAR is to:

  • advance knowledge of the Canadian Arctic in order to improve economic opportunities; environmental stewardship and the quality of life of its residents and all other Canadians
  • promote the development and dissemination of knowledge of the other circumpolar regions, including the Antarctic
  • strengthen Canada's leadership on Arctic issues, and
  • establish a hub for scientific research in the Canadian Arctic.

Functions

POLAR advances knowledge of the Canadian Arctic and strengthens Canadian leadership in polar science and technology. POLAR has a unique role to advance our collective understanding of polar environments by mobilizing current knowledge produced by others, in a meaningful and accessible way, to address the gaps and concerns of Northern communities.

POLAR consists of:

  • a pan-northern science and technology program, which conducts and supports science and technology research and monitoring across Canada's North;
  • the world-class Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
  • A knowledge management, engagement, and coordination function to support polar research, which involves:
    • strengthening and coordinating partnerships and collaboration between researchers
    • helping ensure that research results inform policies and programs
    • supporting the next generation of northern researchers.

POLAR serves as Canada's primary point of contact with the circumpolar knowledge community, and is Canada's adhering body to the International Arctic Science Committee and the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research. POLAR also liaises with research organizations and institutes throughout the circumpolar world, providing guidance for multilateral scientific projects relevant to Canadian interests.

Science and Technology Program

POLAR operates a pan-northern science and technology program. Polar Knowledge Canada recognizes the critical importance of broad-based input, especially from Northerners, in the development and implementation of its five-year Science and Technology Plans. This builds on the long history of consultation undertaken by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in the design of the station and the program.

POLAR's 2020-2025 Science and Technology Framework and Strategic Plan

POLAR's 5-year Science and Technology (S&T) Framework and broader agency-wide Strategic Plan set out broad goals for 2020-2025, under POLAR's vision for a sustainable future guided by knowledge and collaboration.

During the development of the S&T Framework, POLAR carried out broad public engagements in 2018 and 2019. POLAR also engaged directly with key northern and Indigenous groups and organizations and considered other priority-setting documents. Following the receipt of this important feedback the Framework was scaled back to high-level priorities, responding to the northern need for deeper collaboration. Moving forward, POLAR will work with Indigenous rightsholders to co-develop a plan for the implementation of the Framework.

The Strategic Plan

  • guides POLAR's work by providing an overview of what the organization is striving to achieve.
  • ensures that POLAR's immediate or short-term decisions and activities support the long-term goals and vision of the agency.
  • focusses the work of POLAR's employees and communicates to its partners and collaborators what they can expect from POLAR.

The Science and Technology Framework

  • guides decision-making on the type of activities and initiatives that POLAR undertakes and supports to meet its overarching themes and S&T Goals.
  • Overarching themes:
    • Advancing knowledge creation in the North
    • Leading the mobilization of polar knowledge in Canada and abroad
  • S&T Goals:
    1. Improving knowledge of dynamic northern terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in the context of rapid change
    2. Increasing understanding of the connections between northern community wellness and environmental health
    3. Advancing sustainable energy, technology and infrastructure solutions for the unique environmental, social and cultural conditions in the North

Read the documents here:

Strategic Plan

HTML : ENGLISH | FRENCH | INUKTITUT | INUINNAQTUN

PDF : ENGLISH | FRENCH | INUKTITUT | INUINNAQTUN

Science and Technology Framework

HTML : ENGLISH | FRENCH | INUKTITUT | INUINNAQTUN

PDF : ENGLISH | FRENCH | INUKTITUT | INUINNAQTUN

Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS)

POLAR's Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) provides a world-class hub for science and technology in Canada's North that complements the diverse network of research facilities across the North.

The station attracts international scientists to work in Canada and strengthen Canada's leadership position in polar research. The research undertaken at the station is interdisciplinary. For more information, learn about CHARS and the services it offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

On this page:

What is Polar Knowledge Canada?

A federal government organization created in 2015 with the following purpose:

  • advance knowledge of the Canadian Arctic in order to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship and the quality of life of its residents and all other Canadians;
  • promote the development and dissemination of knowledge of the other circumpolar regions, including the Antarctic;
  • strengthen Canada's leadership on Arctic issues; and
  • establish a hub for scientific research in the Canadian Arctic.

POLAR advances knowledge of the Canadian Arctic and strengthens Canadian leadership in polar science and technology. POLAR has a unique role to advance our collective understanding of polar environments by mobilizing current knowledge produced by others, in a meaningful and accessible way, to address the gaps and concerns of Northern communities.

POLAR consists of:

  • a pan-northern science and technology program, which conducts and supports science and technology research and monitoring across Canada's North;
  • the world-class Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut;
  • a knowledge management, engagement, and coordination function to support polar research, which involves:
    • strengthening and coordinating partnerships and collaboration between researchers
    • helping ensure that research results inform policies and programs
    • supporting the next generation of northern researchers.

How is POLAR governed?

  • Polar Knowledge Canada is a departmental corporation within the portfolio of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. It is led by a Governor-In-Council appointed Board of Directors responsible for operational planning and budget oversight, and a President responsible to the Board for the agency's day-to-day operations.

Where is POLAR's headquarters?

  • POLAR is headquartered in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut at Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS). POLAR also has a secondary office in the National Capital Region that supports its operations.

What is the Canadian High Arctic Research Station?

  • The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS), located in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut includes advanced laboratories, a technology development centre, and a Knowledge Sharing Centre.
  • The Station provides a world-class hub for science and technology in Canada's North and is part of the network of research infrastructure across the North, which comprises the members of the Canadian Network of Northern Research Operators.

POLAR's S&T Goals for 2020-2025 are:

  1. Improving knowledge of dynamic northern terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in the context of rapid change
  2. Increasing understanding of the connections between northern community wellness and environmental health
  3. Advancing sustainable energy, technology and infrastructure solutions for the unique environmental, social and cultural conditions in the North

Is POLAR doing research now?

  • Research is ongoing at CHARS. Research to date includes monitoring of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine environment and wildlife, permafrost research, alternative energy research, community-based research and outreach, and much more is planned over the next few years.

How does POLAR fit in with other research organizations?

  • POLAR fulfills a brokering role, strengthening connections between Canadian science-based departments and agencies, Indigenous organizations, industry and private sector and academia within Canada.
  • POLAR assists research organizations to navigate the Canadian landscape, respect policies, procedures and permitting, as well as the inclusion of indigenous knowledge and traditions.
  • POLAR serves as Canada's first point of contact for the international polar research community to explore opportunities to pursue research in Canada's Arctic. POLAR is Canada's adhering body to the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR). Polar Knowledge Canada also liaises with research organizations and institutes throughout the circumpolar world, providing guidance for multilateral scientific projects relevant to Canadian interests.

How is POLAR incorporating indigenous knowledge in its work?

  • Polar Knowledge Canada recognizes indigenous knowledge (IK) as fundamentally important to the creation of knowledge. Specific elements of IK have relevant, unique contributions to make to our multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting knowledge creation efforts.
  • POLAR leads by example in placing value on IK, and encourages those we collaborate with, internationally and domestically, to do the same.
  • POLAR provides practical leadership on the use of IK, through the development and sharing of policies and guidelines. The key to effective use of IK is relationships based on equality, mutual respect, and shared commitment to the creation of new knowledge. POLAR facilitates those relationships by:
    • serving as a broker
    • sharing best practices
    • ensuring those relationships are developed at the earliest possible moment in the research cycle

Are there jobs for Northerners at POLAR?

  • POLAR is committed to ensuring that Northerners and Indigenous people are an integral part of the organization.
  • POLAR is currently working to determine the future needs of the organization, which may include positions in additional areas across Canada.
  • When a position becomes available, the advertisement will be posted on our website, Facebook page and Twitter account. As our headquarters is located in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, you will also find advertisements in the local newspaper and local job boards for positions at CHARS.
  • POLAR is always looking for new and innovative ways to recruit Inuit staff in both office locations (Ottawa, Ontario and Cambridge Bay, Nunavut)

How is Polar Knowledge Canada involved in Antarctic research?

  • POLAR is coordinating Canada's efforts to develop a National Antarctic Research Program that will better coordinate, increase and expand Canadian activities in the Antarctic.
  • POLAR is Canada's adhering body to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), which initiates, develops and coordinates international scientific research in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. It appoints representatives to serve on SCAR's Standing Scientific Groups and Committees on behalf of Canada.
  • POLAR also communicates important Antarctic news, events, and opportunities to the Canadian polar research community, and Antarctic research to the general public via the Polar Blog and social media channels.

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