About Polar Knowledge Canada

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 Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. 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.

What are POLAR's research priorities?

• POLAR's Science and Technology Pillars for 2026-2029 are:
1. One Health - an integrated approach to understanding wildlife health, human health and ecosystem health, with a focus on food security
2. Energy, technology and cold climate innovation - solutions to energy and infrastructure challenges associated with very cold climates and remote locations
3. Climate, biodiversity and shifting landscapes - research on the effects of climate change on the Arctic's terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments to identify changes and trends affecting these ecosystems

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.