Turning a passion for exploring into northern prosperity

For Lee Carson, it’s all about helping his clients see the big picture. With a long history as a member of Canada’s aerospace and defence community, Lee lends his considerable experience to those developing Canada’s Northern Strategy.

Pursuing his passion of exploration and his love of Canada’s north, Lee has been involved in a number of expeditions, including the 2014 recovery of the HMS Erebus that sank in 1848 in the Victoria Strait. Lee’s consulting company Norstrat helped bring industry, Parks Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, and academics together in the search through the Northwest Passage.

The Arctic is changing in all kinds of ways; we need to ensure we’re taking care of the people in our northern communities.

“This voyage was really special to me,” says Lee. “It brought together 30 years of Arctic systems engineering experience to the test, and it culminated in the success of a challenging mission in the Northwest Passage.”

As the sea ice opened, the team was able to survey the depths using sophisticated Kraken Sonar Systems and recover the wreckage which now stands as a National Historic Site.

Lee is a strong supporter of Canada’s Northern Strategy to connect Canada’s northern and southern communities, making them more accessible. “It’s time to join Canada from north to south,” says Lee. “The Arctic is changing in all kinds of ways; we need to ensure we’re taking care of the people in our northern communities.” Lee believes in building on the Northern Strategy; Canada should be equally accessible to all Canadians from coast to coast to coast, from Pelee Island to Resolute Bay.

It is an initiative that Lee holds close to his heart. Lee aims to support community and infrastructure options in the north to improve housing and employment opportunities to local peoples. A stronger, more stable northern economy will, in turn, improve Canada’s northern sovereignty.

Lee’s focus is on people. He believes there is a great opportunity now for further development in the region and can’t wait to help guide Canada into the future.