Canada to release new Arctic foreign policy for ‘tough’ world: Joly – National
Canada will release a new Arctic foreign policy aimed at boosting its political and security posture in the North to deal with growing threats from outside actors and climate change, the government announced Thursday.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said the policy to be issued on Friday will respond to the growing threat situation around the world, and Canada’s responsibility to protect its Arctic sovereignty and the security of other Arctic countries, as well as the United States.
“One thing is clear: the world is getting stronger, and the conflicts we see in the world are interconnected,” he said. “So, we have to be very strong in our response.”
He said Friday’s announcement would be made alongside Defense Minister Bill Blair.
The growing presence of Russia and China in the Arctic, facilitated by climate change-induced shrinking of the ice shelf, has been identified as a security priority for Canada.
Canada’s defense chief, Gen. Jennie Carignan, told Global News last month that Arctic security is among her priorities, pointing to increased cooperation between Moscow and Beijing. He said more investment and rapid procurement of new technology is needed to counter those threats.
The federal government has been forced by the United States to strengthen its position and investment in the North as part of its defense commitments to both NATO and NORAD.
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The revised defense policy includes billions of dollars in new Arctic security investments, on top of nearly $40 billion in previously announced spending to modernize NORAD.
Ottawa’s pledge to meet NATO’s defense spending target of two percent of GDP by 2032 — a timeline long criticized by allies and the parliamentary budget chief as unrealistic — is based on the purchase of a new fleet of submarines to patrol the North. .
Canada signed a trilateral agreement with the US and Finland in July to boost the production of Arctic and polar icebreakers, and signed a memorandum of understanding last month to improve relations.
Icebreakers were among the topics raised during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s dinner with US president-elect Donald Trump last week, according to the Canadian Press.
Canada does not have citizenship or diplomacy in the Arctic but has sought to expand relations with Arctic regions through forums such as the Arctic Council and NATO.
The Canadian Forces use the Canadian Rangers, a reserve force, to patrol remote, coastal and northern areas, with the patrolling of those soldiers stationed in many northern and Arctic communities.
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