Hans Island is a 1.3 square kilometer chunk of deserted rock, situated between the Canadian owned Ellesmere Island and Greenland which is owned by Denmark. The ownership of the tiny island which is more accurately known as a knoll has been in contention for decades with Canada and Denmark both laying claim.

In 1988 a Danish Arctic expedition sailed to the island with the express purpose of erecting a stone marker and a Danish flag which were replaced in 1995 and again in 2003 because of deterioration caused by the exreme weather.

On July 13, 2005 Canadian soldiers landed on Hans Island and erected an Inuit Inukshuk along with a Canadian flag. One week Later Canada's Defence Minister Bill Graham flew by military helicopter to the island and walked about in an obvious symbolic gesture. Five days later Denmark announced that it would be issuing a formal letter of complaint to Canada which stated in part Denmark's regret that Canada had visited Hans Island without prior notification to the Danish government. Tha next day Greenland's Deputy Premier issued a statement declaring that Canada had occupied Hans Island.

As the international dispute continues between Canada and Denmark, at least one Dane and one Canadian have decided to take the issue into their own hands as a way of supporting their country's position on the matter.

They bought Google ads. An unidentified individual from Denmark made the initial move which reads in part, "Does Hans sound Canadian? Danish name, Danish island." The link will take the reader to the Danish Foreign Minister's web site. Danish officials have since denied any knowledge of the stunt.

One Canadian however was especially annoyed at the Danish Google ad campaign and decided to do the same from the Canadian perspective. Rick Broadhead from Ontario immediately bought his own Google ad and linked it to a hastily constructed website supporting Canada's position. Wording on Broadhead's ad was short and sweet - "Hans Island is Canadian".

Following some light-hearted suggestions that Canada cease selling Danish pastries or build a Tim Horton's on the island, Canadian Foreign Affairs spokesman Reynald Doiron was quoted as saying,"notwithstanding the disputed area, the Canadian Foreign Affairs Ministry is allowing its cafeteria to sell Danish pastries as a goodwill gesture towards the Danish government and people."

Meanwhile the Google battle continues.