Serious investments needed for Canada to defend against Arctic threats

But alongside increasing supports for Ukraine in this critical moment, we have seen certain Members of Parliament calling for a drastic militarization of our Arctic region to prepare for potential “threats” through the Arctic region. We have seen calls for Canada’s participation in American anti-missile defence systems.

A history of neglect by consecutive federal governments have left northern communities unequipped for the impacts of climate change. Last month, Iqaluit barely averted a water-shortage crisis for the winter. The Apex River was at a 40-year low, causing a deficit of more than 500-million litres of water in Lake Geraldine this year. We know that climate change means these crises will be happening at increasing pace and represents the largest threat to the Canadian Arctic.

With climate change, we also face an increase of concerns in the Arctic region. Melting ice is opening up the region as an increasing hub for economic activity. New sea lanes through the Arctic could cut two weeks off travel from Asian to European markets, and the rapidly changing ecosystem will bring major shifts in fish populations. Rapid climate change is also increasing the viability of accessing the Arctic’s massive oil reserves, natural gas, and precious minerals.

The auditor general noted that misguided, uneven investments in the region by Liberal and Conservative governments alike have left us with a growing risk of Arctic infrastructure retiring before replacements are provided. This poses a major risk to the sovereignty of Canada’s Arctic, when climate change exacerbates friction among countries vying to benefit from the Arctic’s natural resources.

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NORAD modernization urgently needed for Canada to maintain competitive edge in the ArcticCanada’s Arctic is under threat—from climate change and the belligerence of Russia and China, both of which share an interest in the region’s energy resources, rare and highly prized minerals, and seafood. Russia’s massive build-up of military bases on its Arctic shoreline and its occasional probing of North American defence systems sits uncomfortably alongside China’s efforts to style itself as a “near Arctic state.” These are multiple wake-up calls for Canada and its NORAD partner, the United States. A 2021 NORAD/U.S. Northern Command strategy paper was blunt in stating that, “The American and Canadian people are safe and secure today but, without intentional efforts to counter our competitors’ fast-paced advances, our competitive advantage will erode.” Canada’s defence modernization strategy was outlined by Canada’s Minister of National Defence Anita Anand in June 2022 in an announcement of new funding for NORAD infrastructure: $4.9-billion for the first six years, with $38.6-billion allocated over 20 years. The announcement was an outgrowth of Canada’s 2017 vision and plan for defence modernization, Strong, Secure, Engaged. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a further wake-up call and adds to the urgency of re-evaluating our defence capabilities in the North. Canada now has an unprecedented opportunity to modernize urgently needed defence infrastructure in the Arctic—but many observers are already saying that more investments will be needed. Part of the need for investments comes from the sheer scale and characteristics of Canada’s Arctic. It represents 40 per cent of Canada’s land mass, 75 per cent of its coastline, and a population of around 140,000, representing 0.3 per cent of Canada’s population in 72 communities. This alone makes defending the Arctic a significant challenge. The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence, and Veterans Affairs selected Arctic Security as a priority for study in 2022. Having heard from scores of witnesses, th Our money is gone. To Ukraine.
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