A Guide to Natural Resources Canada Programs and Activities in Canada's North

Quality of Life Through Sustainable Resource Development

Definition of the North

The definition of the "North" may be different depending on the context or its use in different parts of the country. Often, there are no exact geographic boundaries. Usually the "North" is associated with environmental processes, socio-economic conditions and geographic locations held in common. In other cases, it is defined by jurisdictions, policies, regulations or programs which may apply within these boundaries.

For the purposes of this guide, Canada's North is interpreted generally as the land-and ocean-based territory that lies north of the line of sporadic permafrost, from British Columbia to Labrador (see map).