The crossing of the Northwest Passage in August 1985 by a US icebreaker,
without requesting authorisation, raised the whole question of Canada's
sovereignty over the waters of its Arctic Archipelago. Given this
controversy and the existence of similar situations in other parts of
the world, this book presents an examination of the international legal
validity of Canada's claim by an in-depth study of three possible bases
in international law: the sector theory, the doctrine of historic waters
and the Straight baseline system. This work is the second of a series of
monographs arising from the Canadian Northern Waters Project of the
Dalhousie Ocean Studies Programme, It draws on examples from other parts
of the world, and, as such it will have relevance beyond the development
of the Canadian Arctic. Professor Pharand is a recognised authority in
this field. His earlier book, The Law of the Sea of the Arctic is still
one of the standard reference works in the area, but with changes in the
general law of the sea, this monograph presents a timely reappraisal of
the relevant legal theories and practices.