Northwest Passage featured in an item earlier today (1st Jan 08) on BBC News 24 (Freeview channel 80). The item was about 25 minutes long and discussed the effect of global warming on the North polar ice cap. For the first time, earlier in 2007, the ice receded to the extent that previously impassable straits were capable of navigation. A Canadian survey ship negotiated the route in a week that took Amundsen four years almost a hundred years ago. The January broadcast has not yet appeared in the BBC play-again list, but it seems to be an updated version of an item that was broadcast in October 07. Various items, both video and audio, can be found at this search page
The Stan Rogers song was played at the start of the item and occasionally through the piece. It didn't sound like Stan's version, and there is a concertina playing. Could be Steve Turner? Any ideas?