Sovereignty or Security?: Government Policy in the Canadian North, 1936-1950

Sovereignty or Security? explores the numerous and diverseinfluences responsible for the dramatic change in northern policiesduring the 1940s and their subsequent impact on the Yukon and NorthwestTerritories. Apart from concern for the social, economic, and politicaldevelopment of the North, two major issues emerged which became centralto the policy initiatives in the war and postwar years -- the questionof maintaining optimum sovereign control and of providing adequatedefence against possible enemy attack. As a result, Ottawa abandonedits former laissez-faire approach to northern affairs and adopted anactive interventionist role, accompanied by unprecedented financialsupport.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by John Holmes Preface 1. A Historical Perspective, 1867-1930 2. The Depression Years, 1930-39 3. The Ottawa Scene, 1939-41 4. The Northward Winds of War, 1941-42 5. The Army of Occupation, 1943-44 6. Pressures for Change, 1943-45 7. Sovereignty, Stewardship, or Security, 1945-47 8. New Leadership and New Directions, 1947-49 9. The Military North, 1948-50 10. Patterns and Priorities Appendices

About the Author :
Shelagh D. Grant teaches history and Canadian studiesat Trent University.

Review :
Grant has written a most impressive work based on extensive research in governmental and private papers. She is careful to place the events in the North within the broader context of military, economic, and political history, and each chapter begins with an elegant, brief description of the larger setting. Grant makes clear that the questions of national security and Arctic sovereignty have not yet been resolved. Those who seek such resolution in the future must read this important book. - John English (American Historical Review) Shelagh Grant's careful and detailed study of the evolution of Canada's northern policy in the late 1930s and 1940s illuminates a critical period ... For those interested in a detailed study of a fascinating period of Northern development, Grant provides a major resource. - Martin Loney (Ottawa Citizen) This is a daring book ... No doubt this will be the standard work, as a result not only of the author's analysis but also for its abundant maps, charts, and appended texts. - Joseph T. Jockel (The American Review of Canadian Studies)