The Greatest Navigator of Canada’s History Who Laid Claim to the Arctic Archipelago

Commentary “He’s a strong guy … a real Bernier!” exclaimed Jean-Baptiste Bernier, the proud grandfather. He and the boy’s father, Thomas Bernier, were confident the lad would grow up to be a sea captain. Joseph-Elzéar Bernier was the greatest sailor of Canada’s history. He was not only a master mariner but also “the greatest Canadian navigator,” in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. By penetrating the Northland by sea and planting the flag on dozens of islands of the Arctic Archipelago—before claimants from the United States, Sweden, or other countries could plant theirs—he added 700,000 square kilometres to Canada’s sovereign territory....