The world has changed over the last two years. In the Arctic, itSA国际影视传媒檚 changing four times faster.

Words to these effect were echoed by all three federal ministers at the media roundtable discussion for Arctic and northern security in Iqaluit on the morning of May 6.

The federal trifecta, Defence Minister Bill Blair, Foreign Affairs Minister M茅lanie Joly, and Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal had met with the three territorial premiers the previous day in NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 capital to discuss the new policies outlined in the federal governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 latest northern security document, Our North Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Defence.

Partnership to create infrastructure in support CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 northern peoples

SA国际影视传媒淲e gave [the premiers] an update,SA国际影视传媒� began Blair, SA国际影视传媒渋n a secure environment on Arctic security and northern security SA国际影视传媒� We also discussed at some length about climate change and how itSA国际影视传媒檚 disproportionately affecting the Arctic, which is of course warming four times faster than the global average. That is making the Arctic far more accessible. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e seeing much greater activity among our potential adversaries, particularly Russia and China, in the region. Our competitors are exploring the waters, probing our infrastructure and collecting intelligence.SA国际影视传媒�

Blair emphasized during the media session that the use of the possessive first person plural, SA国际影视传媒渙urSA国际影视传媒�, in the title of the new defence policy, Our North Strong and Free, had been a deliberate point of discussion by policy makers in Ottawa. The colonial approach the federal government has taken in the past when it comes to approaching Arctic sovereignty on Inuit lands has resulted in mistakes SA国际影视传媒� but mistakes that will help all Canadians learn from the past and implement a better, united approach for the future, said the minister

SA国际影视传媒淲ith the introduction of our new defence policy, from my perspective, but also [because of] a number of really important issues SA国际影视传媒� We think itSA国际影视传媒檚 very critical that we closely engage with both territorial governments, as well as Northerners and local Indigenous communities. It is essential we hear directly from them on security and defence concerns SA国际影视传媒� So that we can work together to protect the Arctic and northern communities and peoples here in Canada.SA国际影视传媒�

Blair touched on the importance of food security in CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 North, but also emphasized the building and creation of five northern hubs, yet to be announced, over the next two decades that will create an enhanced northern infrastructure and line of defence for NATOSA国际影视传媒檚 western and northern flanks, as well as fulfilling CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 duties as the northern partner in NORAD.

The significant financial investments of the federal government include $218 million over 20 years for these SA国际影视传媒淣orthern Operational Support HubsSA国际影视传媒� that will establish a greater year-round military presence across the Arctic and the North, and invest in multi-use infrastructure that also meets the needs of territories, Indigenous peoples, and northern communities.

Military investments, to be parceled out over the next two decades, include: $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.

Overall, the federal government is estimating CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 new defense spending to GDP ratio to reach 1.76 per cent in 2029-30, which would have Canada exceed NATOSA国际影视传媒檚 target of 20 per cent for major equipment expenditures as a proportion of defense funding.

CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 reality: a Russia-fronting country

From the foreign policy perspective, which is now inextricable from national defence policy, Joly was quick to assert just how much of a role increasing Russian aggression has informed this joint collaboration going forward between hers and BlairSA国际影视传媒檚 departments.

SA国际影视传媒淢ore than ever, we are indeed a Russia-fronting country. A neighbour to Russia. We know that Russia and China are in the Arctic, and so we need to take stock of that. People in the south donSA国际影视传媒檛 necessarily appreciate as much as people in the North how much of this is just CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 reality.SA国际影视传媒�

Becoming more accessible, becoming better protected

The reality we face in an increasingly unstable, violent, and uncertain geo-political climate is that the 150,000 Canadians, including the Indigenous populations of the North, are no longer protected by the geographical barriers of sea and ice.

Technological advancements and increasing foreign military aggression in the Asian and European arenas make Canada, bordered on three sides by oceans, now vulnerable.

By 2050, the Arctic Ocean could become the most efficient shipping route SA国际影视传媒�- or the least protected naval frontier SA国际影视传媒� between Europe and east Asia. CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Northwest Passage and the broader Arctic region are already more accessible to foreign incursion, SA国际影视传媒渁nd that brings all sorts of risksSA国际影视传媒� commented Minister Vandal. SA国际影视传媒淲hen we talk about sovereignty of the North, we talking really about empowering the people that live here, including Inuit, Indigenous, First Nations, and Metis. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e talking about better housing, weSA国际影视传媒檙e talking about better infrastructure, dual use SA国际影视传媒� that people who live here can enjoy and benefit from.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are turning our minds and investments towards that,SA国际影视传媒� said Blair.

The Northern Policy FrameworkSA国际影视传媒檚 principle of SA国际影视传媒渘othing about us, without usSA国际影视传媒� means that no decisions are made about Arctic sovereignty without the direct consultation of northern peoples that come out of meetings such as this.

SA国际影视传媒淓very conversation ISA国际影视传媒檝e had with Northerners about Arctic sovereignty and about Arctic security,SA国际影视传媒� summarizes Blair, SA国际影视传媒渢heySA国际影视传媒檝e told me itSA国际影视传媒檚 really about infrastructure. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 about highways and airports. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 about fibre optics and water treatment plants, medical facilities and housing. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 about building infrastructure in community and in capability. We think thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a great opportunity for us to do that SA国际影视传媒� It could create jobs, but it could also create infrastructure that will support Northern peoples. We believe that doing that together is the best way to get it done. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e continuing to focus on consultation, collaboration, partnership. That is essentially why weSA国际影视传媒檝e come here for this meeting SA国际影视传媒� Engage in our perspectives, but also learn from theirs.SA国际影视传媒�