Key Takeaways:
- Canada claims Santa Claus as a Canadian citizen and asserts sovereignty over his North Pole residence and workshop.
- The Canadian government has issued Santa and Mrs. Claus ePassports and declared their participation in a special citizenship ceremony.
- The North Pole is not owned by any country under international law, and Canada’s claim to sovereignty is contested by other nations.
- Other countries, including Finland and Denmark, also claim Santa Claus as a resident and have their own traditions and legends surrounding his home and workshop.
- The United Nations has not yet ruled on Canada’s claims to extend its Arctic reach and sovereignty over the North Pole.
Introduction to the Claim
Canada has made a bold claim that Santa Claus is a Canadian citizen, and that his North Pole residence and workshop fall under Canadian sovereignty. This claim is based on a declaration made by Jason Kenney, the former minister of citizenship, immigration, and multiculturalism, in 2008. According to Kenney, Santa has the automatic right to re-enter Canada once his trip around the world is complete. The Canadian government has also issued Santa and Mrs. Claus ePassports, which they allegedly plan to use for a Florida vacation after the completion of their Christmas duties.
The Facts Behind the Claim
The facts behind Canada’s claim are rooted in a series of events and declarations made by the Canadian government. In 2008, Canada Post listed Santa’s address as the North Pole, Canada, with the postal code H0H 0H0. This was followed by Kenney’s declaration of Santa’s Canadian citizenship, which was reaffirmed in 2010. The Canadian government has also made efforts to expand its claim of sovereignty over Arctic waters, including the amendment to the "Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act" in 2008. This amendment changed the definition of Arctic waters from 100 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles, which helped to bolster Canada’s sovereignty claims to the area.
Canada’s Claim to Sovereignty Over the North Pole
Canada’s claim to sovereignty over the North Pole is based on its assertion that the area is part of its Arctic territory. The Canadian government declares sovereignty over the waters of the Arctic Archipelago, which consists of thousands of mostly uninhabited islands, and includes the channels making up the Northwest Passage. The area claimed by Canada includes the North Pole, which is purportedly the residence of Santa Claus. However, under international law, no country owns the North Pole or the waters surrounding it. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea affords Canada and other Arctic countries sovereign rights to an "exclusive economic zone" of 200 nautical miles off their coasts.
International Law and the North Pole
The North Pole is not owned by any country under international law, and Canada’s claim to sovereignty is contested by other nations. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allows countries to extend their territory beyond the 200 nautical miles if they can show their continental shelf stretches beyond that point. In 2022, Canada filed to extend its continental shelf claim, which includes the Lomonosov Ridge, an undersea mountain range that reaches the North Pole. However, Russia, Denmark, and Greenland have made similar claims, and the UN has not issued a decision on Canada’s claim. As a result, it is more accurate to describe Santa’s North Pole abode as lying in international waters.
Other Countries’ Claims to Santa’s Residency
Other countries, including Finland and Denmark, also claim Santa Claus as a resident and have their own traditions and legends surrounding his home and workshop. The city of Rovaniemi in northern Finland calls itself "the official hometown of Santa Claus" and says it acts as Santa’s "office," while his original home lies in the Korvatunturi "fell," or mountain. Many Danes and Greenlanders believe Santa Claus lives in Uummannaq, Greenland, because of a children’s television show. The town has a giant red mailbox that receives letters to Santa. Canada, however, seems to be the only country to have given him citizenship.
Conclusion and Implications
Despite the controversy surrounding Santa’s residency and citizenship, it does not appear that these issues will impede his Dec. 24 delivery plans. The Canadian government’s claim to sovereignty over the North Pole and Santa’s residency is a lighthearted and festive assertion, but it also highlights the complexities of international law and the competing claims of different nations. As the world celebrates the holiday season, it is clear that Santa Claus remains a beloved and enduring figure, regardless of his official residency or citizenship.
