Senate Arctic Affairs panel advances resolution affirming Alaska–Canada ties

The Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs voted by unanimous consent Thursday to report Senate Joint Resolution 9, which recognizes the long‑standing Alaska–Canada relationship and urges the federal government not to impose restrictive trade measures that would harm Alaska, committee members said.

Senator Giesel, chair of the Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs, opened the Feb. 27 meeting and invited Intimayo Harbisson, staff to Senator Giesel, to present the resolution. Harbisson told the committee the measure ‘‘highlights the importance of the Alaska Canada relationship and the long standing ties and friendship shared between the state of Alaska and the nation of Canada’’ and asks the federal government not to take actions that ‘‘would jeopardize the best interests of Alaska.’’

The resolution calls on continued cooperation between Alaska and Canada on strategic, economic, environmental and cultural matters and references the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement negotiated in February 2018. Harbisson cautioned that Alaska relies on imports for building materials, energy and food—many of which originate in or transit Canadian territory—and said restrictive measures could ‘‘irrevocably harm’’ efforts to expand Alaska’s resource potential. Harbisson also noted the role of Canadian refiners for certain critical minerals and that ‘‘71% of the U.S. import of potash comes from Canada.’’

Senator Kawasaki asked whether the resolution should reference recent tariff announcements by the president. Harbisson said the draft purposely did not single out specific measures, instead using broad language to encompass current or future restrictive trade proposals. Senator Stevens emphasized historical and current defense and security cooperation with Canada and asked for clarification on the phrase ‘‘Global Coalition of Daesh;’’ Harbisson said that term was intended to refer to the Islamic State (ISIS).

There was no public testimony. Senator Stevens moved to report the resolution out of committee ‘‘with individual recommendations and attach 0 fiscal note’’ and to authorize Legislative Legal to make technical and conforming changes. With no objection, the committee approved the motion and the resolution will move from committee for further action.

The committee adjourned at about 1:40 p.m.; members were asked to remain briefly to sign the transmittal. The committee noted there will be no Arctic Affairs meeting on March 6 and that the next meeting is scheduled for March 13 at 1:30 p.m.