Federal Conservative leader Pierre PoilievreSA国际影视传媒檚 visit to Iqaluit on Sept. 9 touched on a range of Northern issues, including Arctic security and defence.

SA国际影视传媒淲e need to expand it, we need to expand the presence of icebreakers and other assets, expand the Rangers and have a stronger military footprint all across the Arctic in order to protect our sovereignty against growing threats from China and Russia,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪o when common sense Conservatives are in office... probably the top priority for our entire military program will be Arctic defence."

Poilievre also alluded to foreign incursions into Canadian Arctic waters by Chinese and Russian powers.

The current Liberal governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 defence policy announced in Iqaluit on May 7 and outlined in 'Our North Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Defence' includes the investment of $218 million into five as yet unannounced Northern hubs over the next two decades for multi-use infrastructure. There are also proposed direct military investments, including: $18.4 billion for effective tactical helicopter capability, $307 million for airborne early warning aircraft, $1.4 billion over 20 years to acquire specialized maritime sensors and $222 million to build a new satellite ground station.

When asked by SA国际影视传媒 about how his government plans to improve upon this current plan, Poilievre responded, SA国际影视传媒淎s Elvis would say, a little less conversation, a little more action, please. There have been a lot of announcements, a lot of promises and a lot of dollar signs, but not a lot of results where there's a massive recruitment problem. Yesterday [Sept. 8], I was in Yellowknife, for example, a young man said he applied to join the forces 18 months ago and nobody's gotten back to him, and so we have to recruit more quickly.

SA国际影视传媒淲e need to expand the Rangers. We need to quickly buy more military hardware to serve the Northern climate, but most of all we need to execute my common sense plan on national defence that will cut foreign aid that goes to dictators, terrorists and global bureaucracies and bring it home for our military.

SA国际影视传媒淲e'll cut back office bureaucracy. We'll get rid of the procurement boondoggles and we'll use all of those savings to bolster our defence," he added. "The main priority of which will be to secure the North against increased incursions by Russia and China.SA国际影视传媒�

When asked specifically about the funding his party will commit, Poilievre replied, SA国际影视传媒淲ell, you have to wait for our platform to get all of the cost of details, but you can count on us having a significantly increased military presence in the North and a bolstered program for the Rangers who are going to be a key part of my plan to protect the North.SA国际影视传媒�

GN response

Asked for the Government of Nunavut's stance, Premier P.J. Akeeagok issued the following statement:

SA国际影视传媒淭he Canadian Rangers are our eyes and ears in the Arctic, I have seen their work firsthand," said the Premier, who was a Ranger himself in Grise Fiord. "Bolstering this program would not only benefit Arctic communities but also CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 nation-building efforts.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Government of Nunavut continues to share the goals set out in the Government of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Defence. Our territory is committed to ensuring that CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 safety and security, including that of Northerners, and of safeguarding the ability of Canada to defend both the Canadian Arctic and North America. We also appreciate the federal governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 explicit recognition that decisions about the Arctic will be made in partnership with Northerners to reflect our rights, needs and perspectives.

"While Nunavut has come far in the past 25 years, more robust investments are needed to tap into our territorySA国际影视传媒檚 full potential. The time has come for Canada to extend its nation building efforts to our third and longest coast. Given todaySA国际影视传媒檚 global landscape, and the centrality of circumpolar issues, it is even more pertinent to make significant investments in the Arctic that meet local community needs, forge opportunities for economic development, address reconciliation and our countrySA国际影视传媒檚 geopolitical interests in Arctic sovereignty and security.

SA国际影视传媒淎rctic sovereignty in the North would also be safeguarded with investments in multi-use infrastructure such as a deep-water port at Qikiqtarjuaq, the Grays Bay Road and Port and the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link.SA国际影视传媒�