An approximate transcript of the commentary by Peter Mansbridge : “An update on that international dustup over the seabed off of Newfoundland. France has made good on its threat and filed letter of intent with the United Nations., laying claim to a vast energy rich section of ocean. France says its rights extend beyond the 200 nautical mile mark of its territory Saint Pierre and Miquelon. It wants its boundary to extend all the way to the continental shelf. Canada maintains the dispute was settled years ago by the international court of arbitration. “

The graphic used in the newscast would lead anyone to believe France and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon want to rescind the 1992 arbitration, yet there is nothing in the documents filed by France that makes any such claim.

• French letter of intent (pdf)
• French preliminary supporting documents (pdf)

Without the shadow of a doubt, the Economist invalidates Canada’s claim the issue was settled in 1992: “It (Canada) said, wrongly, that the matter had been settled by arbitration in 1992 and that it would – take all necessary measures to defend and protect its rights. – (Canada has until 2013 to file its claim.) In fact the 1992 decision fixed the maritime boundaries between Canada and the islands, and did not demarcate the continental shelf.”

Source: The Economist, May 7th 2009

1)    Why are these islands not part of Canada?

Saint-Pierre et Miquelon was settled by the French as early as the 1500s. Except for a period from 1713 to 1763, the islands have remained French save two deportations suffered in 1778 as retaliation for French support of American Independence and 1793 as retaliation against French Republicanism in Europe. The islands were returned to France in 1816 and have served as a base for the Fishery. More at GrandColombier.com

People from St Pierre and Miquelon are proud of their French heritage and wish to remain citizens of France in the very same way Canadians do not wish to become Americans.

2)    Canada “saved” France in two World Wars, why should let France and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon gain access to the continental shelf?

During World War II, the islands broke away from Vichy France and joined the war effort along with the Free French and Allies. During World War I, the islands fought valiantly and suffered severe losses just like their brothers in Newfoundland. Using World War I and World War II in a modern political discussion, some sixty or more years after the fact is not only petty, it is a violation of the spirit of liberation: countries were freed to be independent states, not vassals to the victors, no matter who they are. Would you like Canada’s Foreign policy dictated by Washington because of their larger contribution to World War II? Compare with 112 Gripes about the French

3)    The islands are surrounded by Canadian waters. Why should they gain access to the continental shelf?

The reason the islands are surrounded by Canadian waters is because Canada moved the goal post. The 1992 arbitration gave the islands access to international waters via a 200 mile long corridor. In 1996, Canada decided to use Sable Island as a base point instead of the coast of Nova Scotia, thus locking the French territorial waters. See: RadioBarachois.net Animation

4)    The 1992 arbitration was final, why is Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and France making new claims?

Fact is the 1992 arbitration does not apply to the continental shelf. If the Canadian judge claimed it was, the court in itself refused to address the issue as it was not part of its mandate. Read more:  International Maritime Boundaries By Jonathan I. Charney, Lewis M. Alexander, page 2141

5)    Wasn’t the 1992 arbitration fair enough?

By moving the goal post (see 3) and spying on the French delegation*, the Canadian government didn’t play fairly. The 1992 arbitration cannot be undone, but the context in which it was delivered are questionable. Read more:  International Maritime Boundaries By Jonathan I. Charney, Lewis M. Alexander, page 2141

6)    Isn’t this really about natural resources?

Of course! Gaining access to natural resources is the only way the islands can develop a sustainable economy beyond the current system of assistance and subsidies by the French government.  Just like Newfoundland and Labrador long aspired to gain access to the rich resources of the Grand Banks and Sub-Laurential Basin, the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon also feel entitled to a share of these resources.

* Canada a key snooper in huge spy network. Jim Bronskill The Ottawa Citizen, Monday, May 24, 1999. “Mr. Stock, who worked in CSE’s Communications Centre in Ottawa, recalls incoming message traffic on dealings with Mexico, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea. The intercepted information covered negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement, Chinese grain purchases, French arms sales and Canada’s boundary dispute with France over the islands of St-Pierre-Miquelon off Newfoundland’s south coast.”