TIMELINE OF ANTARCTIC GOVERNANCE
1959: The Antarctic Treaty is signed by 12 countries to ensure that “in the interest of all mankind, Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord.”
1961: The treaty comes into effect in 1961. It guarantees access and scientific research in all territory south of 60° latitude and it prohibits “any activity relating to mineral resources, other than scientific research” as well as nuclear testing and disposal of radioactive waste.
1988: Canada ratifies the Antarctic Treaty as a non-consultative party because it does not have either a permanent research station on the continent or a formal research program.
1991: Canada and more than 30 other countries sign the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, setting out the guiding principles for the conduct of activities on the continent. It came into force in 1998.
1994: Canada becomes an associate member of the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research and a full member in 1998. 2003: Canada ratifies the Environmental Protocol with the passage of the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act. The act sets out the permitting requirements for all Canadian expeditions, Canadian vessels and Canadian aircraft including environmental impact assessments. 2017: Since 2004, Canada has issued 26 permits for travel to the Antarctic. As a result, approximately 13 per cent of Antarctic tourists travel under permits issued by the Canadian government.
2018: China adds an Antarctic law to its legislative schedule. Under the Antarctic Treaty, all signatories are required to make their own laws to better protect the continent. A report from the Chinese Environment and Resources Protection Committee describes Antarctica as a new strategic region related to future natural security and development including scientific research.
2048: Review of the Antarctic protocols. Any changes proposed would require a two-thirds majority vote of the consultative parties.