In the latest attempt to assert its Arctic sovereignty, Canada is set to begin monitoring all water-based traffic in the Northwest Passage using underwater listening devices, sources have told CBC News.

Canada's ability to monitor the Northwest Passage is currently quite limited, something experts say will increasingly become a problem as other countries vie for a piece of the Arctic.
(John McConnico/Associated Press)

As early as next summer, the federal government plans to lay and test fibre optic cables connected to underwater listening devices in the passage that allow the military to keep a close eye on who might be trying to access the waters unannounced. The technology will detect not only ships, but also submarines.

This summer, the government began preparing to use the technology, CBC News has learned.

Scientists were flown in the summer to the location where the detection technology will be located — Gascoyne Inlet on Devon Island, near one of the main arteries of the passage that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The cost of the venture has not been revealed. A similar plan in the 1990s fell apart because of a $100-million price tag. 

Arctic politics specialist Rob Huebert says Canada may have to pay a hefty price to assert its sovereignty over the Arctic, an area where other countries have signalled intentions to claim parts as their own.

"I think we are going to be seeing one continual crisis in terms of people being up in the North. We are now going to have to start treating the Arctic as we treat both the east and west coast and start getting serious about our surveillances," said Huebert, a University of Calgary professor and member of Ottawa's Arctic security working group.

'We have nothing' in terms of surveillance: expert

With the Arctic considered a potential treasure trove of resources, including oil, gas and even diamonds, Canada's newest project may determine how the country protects its claim to the area.

Canadian capabilities are currently extremely limited, especially when it comes to monitoring water traffic such as submarines.

"I think that most Canadians would have a pretty accurate picture in that they would assume that we have nothing. And unfortunately, that is the reality," said Huebert.

Experts say that for decades, U.S. submarines have been sneaking around Arctic waters inside what Canada considers its territory. Russian, French and British submarines are believed to have gone in the waters as well.

The Conservative government has already signalled its intent to assert sovereignty in the North.

In July, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the federal government would fund the construction of six to eight new Arctic patrol ships and construct a deepwater port somewhere in the Far North to use as the operation base for the vessels.

Other countries, however, continue to vie for a piece of the Arctic.

Last month, Russia lowered a mini-submarine to the ocean floor to plant a Russian flag at the North Pole.