“Canada First” Northern Strategy will increase surveillance, navy, army and air force presence
Today in Winnipeg, Manitoba Stephen Harper announced that a new Conservative government will stand up for Canada’s territorial sovereignty in the Arctic and dramatically increase Canada’s military presence in the north, including enhanced underwater and aerial surveillance, and increased navy, army, and air force presence.
“The single most important duty of the federal government is to protect and defend our national sovereignty,” said Mr. Harper. “You need forces on the ground, ships in the sea, and proper surveillance.”
The announcement is part of the “Canada First” defence strategy and the plan to significantly enhance our military presence in the Artic includes:
- Stationing three new armed naval heavy ice breakers in the area of Iqaluit which will include 500 regular force personnel for crews and support;
- Building a new military/civilian deep-water docking facility in the Iqaluit area;
- Establishing a new Arctic National Sensor System for northern waters which will include underwater surveillance technologies;
- Building a new Arctic army training centre in the area of Cambridge Bay on the Northwest Passage staffed by an estimated 100 regular force personnel;
- Stationing new fixed-wing search-and-rescue aircraft in Yellowknife;
- Providing eastern and western Arctic air surveillance through stationing new long range uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) squadrons at CFB Goose Bay and CFB Comox;
- Revitalizing the Canadian Rangers by recruiting up to 500 additional Rangers increasing their level of training, activity, and equipment; and
- Providing an army emergency response capability through the new airborne battalion and airlift capacity stationed at CFB Trenton to provide a rapid emergency response capability throughout the entire Arctic region.
Today’s announcement also included components of the “Canada First” defence strategy that will enhance Canadian military presence in Manitoba. These include:
- Strengthening transport and rescue capabilities at CFB Winnipeg with new tactical airlift and new fixed wing search and rescue aircraft as well as provide more regular and reserve force personnel to fill out existing operational, support and training units.
- Improving Canada’s emergency response capabilities in Manitoba by stationing a new territorial defence battalion, with 100 regular and at least 400 reserve force personnel, in the Winnipeg area.
Only a new Conservative government can provide real action on sovereignty, and will stand up for our Artic and for Canada.
