Recent research by a group of researchers from the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Environment Canada show that the increase in traffic in the Arctic Ocean is not only the result of a surge in freight transport by boat or even resource development, but rather a growing interest in visiting, experiencing, and understanding the region. Indeed, it denotes a slight increase in vessel activity supporting regional economic development (fishing, construction, supply, etc...) and a growing number of fleet for tourism, research and government support.
Professor Jackie Dawson and MA candidate Larissa Pizzolato have written an article about it in the Globe and Mail.