and is developing its capabilities, including building icebreakers to navigate the region. Meanwhile, lucrative passages for trade and vast resources underpin the Arctic’s strategic importance. Furthermore, as highlighted during Stoltenberg’s visit, the Arctic is the first line of defence against any attack on continental North America from Russia.
Canada has vast amounts of Arctic coastline, and is well positioned geographically among other western allies — including countries that are joining NATO, Finland and Sweden — to focus its military resources on its northern flank. This is particularly important as Europeans are focused on pushing back Russia from their eastern border, and Americans are increasingly shifting their focus towards containing China in the Asia Pacific region.
The announced investments for modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command , along with plans for enhancing the capabilities of the Canadian Coast Guard, are steps in the right direction. The federal government must expand and strengthen Operation Nanook, Canada’s signature Arctic operation, and further invest in military technologies suitable for Canadian forces in the Arctic and for defence against Russian forces.
Worrying about the short-term political costs at the ballot box, Canadian politicians have been afraid of making critical decisions on long-term infrastructure and defence investments. However, failing to take the steps necessary will undermine Canada’s national interests and national sovereignty in the long run.
Pouyan Kimiayjan is a research associate with the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy . Bijan Ahmadi is executive director of the institute.
No more money for US weapons manufacturers.
I thought Trudeau gave pellet guns to a few Indigenous in the North tod defend Canada.
Uh-huh