About Polar Knowledge Canada
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Introduction to Polar Knowledge Canada
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 and Northern Affairs Canada 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's headquarters is 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; and
- a President and Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for the agency's day-to-day operations.
Raison d'être
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; and
- 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; and
- supporting the next generation of northern researchers.
International Engagement
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, the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research, Forum of Arctic Research Operators, and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. POLAR also liaises with research organizations and institutes throughout the circumpolar world, providing guidance for multilateral scientific projects relevant to Canadian interests.
The International Engagement Framework
The International Engagement Framework is intended to assist POLAR in identifying and supporting international partnerships and representation required to advance purpose-driven circumpolar research and engagement. It achieves this by:
- advancing Canadian interests, priorities, and objectives in the circumpolar regions;
- implementing key goals of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (2019), primarily excellence in science, knowledge, and research that supports shared Arctic leadership and decision-making;
- facilitating alignment with partners and transparency in engagement;
- aligning capacity and resources to strengthen Canada’s leadership through science diplomacy on circumpolar affairs, including initiatives detailed in Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy (2024); and
- strengthening relationships with domestic and international Indigenous organisations and public governments engaged in advancing polar research and policy.
Read the International Engagement Framework here:
Science and Technology Program
POLAR's pan-northern science and technology program is guided by its Strategic Plan and Science and Technology Framework. These documents establish POLAR's priorities to advance a sustainable future. Additionally, these priorities inform POLAR's decisions about which activities and initiatives it undertakes and supports.
Read the documents here:
Strategic Plan
HTML : ENGLISH | FRENCH | INUKTITUT | INUINNAQTUN
PDF : ENGLISH | FRENCH | INUKTITUT | INUINNAQTUN
Science and Technology Framework
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.
CHARS attracts Canadian and international scientists to conduct research in the North. The research undertaken at the station is interdisciplinary, aimed towards building a knowledge base to support effective solutions to Arctic issues, northern policy and research development, and advancing Canada's position as a leading Arctic nation. Learn more about CHARS and the services it offers here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Polar Knowledge Canada?
Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) is a federal agency 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.
How is POLAR governed?
- Polar Knowledge Canada is an agency within the portfolio of the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
- POLAR is led by a nine-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor in Council. The Board is responsible for operational planning and budget oversight.
- POLAR's President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the agency's day-to-day operations.
Where is POLAR's headquarters?
- POLAR is headquartered in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut at CHARS. POLAR also has secondary offices in Whitehorse, Yukon and Ottawa, Ontario that supports its operations.
What is the Canadian High Arctic Research Station?
- CHARS, located in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, includes advanced laboratories, a technology development centre, and a Knowledge Sharing Centre.
- CHARS 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.
- For more details on public spaces, laboratories, and research support available at CHARS, click here.
What are POLAR's research priorities?
- POLAR's Science and Technology Pillars for 2026-2029 are:
- One Health - an integrated approach to understanding wildlife health, human health and ecosystem health, with a focus on food security
- Energy, technology and cold climate innovation - solutions to energy and infrastructure challenges associated with very cold climates and remote locations
- 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?
- POLAR carries out polar science and technology research activities as well as environmental monitoring in the Canadian Arctic, with the aim of improving economic opportunities, environmental stewardship, and quality of life in northern regions.
- In addition, POLAR:
- provides funding to support polar researchers and students;
- operates the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut;
- represents Canada on international scientific committees; and
- promotes the development and dissemination of knowledge of the Arctic
Are there jobs for Northerners at POLAR?
- POLAR is committed to advancing its Inuit Employment Plan, ensuring that Northerners and Indigenous people are an integral part of the agency in support of Northern self-determination.
- Job postings are available here.
- POLAR maintains office in Whitehorse, Yukon and Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and provides opportunities for Northerners to work from these hubs and other locations in northern Canada.
Is POLAR involved in Antarctic research?
- POLAR's mandate involves the development and distribution of knowledge of both circumpolar regions, including Antarctica.
- POLAR coordinates Canada's efforts to develop a national Antarctic Research Program that increases and expands Canadian activities in the Antarctic.
- POLAR represents Canada on various international scientific committees, groups, and policy organizations, and collaborates with other governmental departments in Canada on Antarctic research.