Canada has not decided on lifting Arctic drilling ban

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the government has not made a decision regarding the lifting of its moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration in the Arctic. This comes amid discussions and funding considerations aimed at enhancing economic self-sufficiency in the region. The recent federal budget included C$11 million over four years to support governance and oversight of offshore activities, which Carney clarified is not a decision to lift the ban but rather a capacity funding for Inuit leadership. Officials emphasized that any future discussions would respect existing agreements and uphold environmental standards. The matter remains under consideration as the government engages with Inuit self-governance.