Russian invasion of Ukraine forces Arctic defence back onto Canada’s agendaCAMBRIDGE BAY, Nunavut — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in this remote northern community on Thursday to attend the Canadian military’s largest Arctic training exercise, in what many see as a clear signal that defending Canada's North is now a top priority for his government. “We saw a lot of investment on the societal and environmental security, we might say,” said Trent University professor Whitney Lackenbauer, one of Canada’s foremost experts on Arctic security. “I think it definitely does signal not only to Canadians, but to our allies, that we are taking Arctic defence and security seriously,” said Lackenbauer. There are other needs, said Elinor Sloan, an expert on North American defence and security at Carleton University, including modern submarines to monitor and protect Canada’s Arctic seaways, new maritime surveillance aircraft and icebreakers. She and others nonetheless expressed confidence that Arctic security will remain a top priority for the government — if for no other reason than it is now a top priority for its closest allies.

Source: CBC News August 25, 2022 08:51 UTC