Synergy Session: "Arctic Sovereignty and Security: What Role for National Defence?" with Philippe Hébert

National Defence & Canada’s North

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Scope and Scale

–  Two thirds of Canada’s coastline

–  40 % of Canada’s landmass

–  Roughly 100,000 inhabitants

Arctic Circle

Sub Arctic

High Arctic

North Arctic

60 N

55 N

Geography

Perspective: Europe Overlay

Ottawa to Alert 2247nm

Whitehorse to Iqaluit 2082nm

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Strategic Environment •  Climate change is leading to increased human

activity in the North

•  Domestic and international interest in the region has increased considerably

•  No foreseeable military threat in the North – defence issues do not drive Arctic affairs

•  However, emerging safety and security challenges: –  maritime and air traffic –  search and rescue –  environmental concerns –  illegal entry of people and goods

•  Difficult operating environment (vast/remote area, harsh climate, sparse population, minimal infrastructure)

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Arctic Sovereignty Myths & Realities

•  Governed space subject to international laws

•  Peaceful management of disputes: –  Hans Island

–  Lincoln Sea

–  Beaufort Sea

•  Extended continental shelf

•  The Northwest Passage

Canada’s Northern Strategy

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Exercising our Arctic sovereignty as international interest in the region increases

Encouraging social and economic development and regulatory improvements that benefit Northerners

Adapting to climate change challenges and ensuring sensitive Arctic ecosystems are protected for future generations

Providing Northerners with more control over their economic and political destiny

“Our Government is securing our Northern sovereignty; promoting prosperity for Northerners; protesting our Arctic environmental heritage; and giving the people of the North a greater say in their own affairs.”

Speech from the Throne, Oct 2013

Sovereignty

Economic and Social

Development Environmental

Protection Governance

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Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy

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Enhancing key bilateral relationships

Pursuing a strengthened Arctic Council

Working through multilateral institutions

Vision: A stable, rules-based region with clearly defined boundaries, dynamic economic growth and trade, vibrant Northern communities and healthy and productive eco-systems.

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Working Draft – For Official Use Only 1

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Arctic Council Countries

— Arctic Circle — Canada’s Arctic

Canada’s Arctic Council Priorities: - Responsible Arctic Resource Development -  Safe Arctic shipping -  Sustainable circumpolar communities

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Canada First Defence Strategy

•  Canada First Defence Strategy directs National Defence to:

–  Exercise and defend Arctic sovereignty

–  Demonstrate a visible presence in the region

–  Conduct daily domestic and continental operations, including in the Arctic

–  Support other government departments and agencies when requested – military is not the lead but plays key supporting role

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Military Infrastructure

Eureka

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Northern Watch North Warning System

Forward Operating Location (NORAD)

JTFN Detachments

JTFN Headquarters CFS Alert

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Canadian Armed Forces Activities in the North

•  Annual Operations –  Operation NUNAKPUT (summer) –  Operation NUNALIVUT (March and April) –  Operation NANOOK (August) –  Operation QIMMIQ

•  Routine surveillance flights

•  Search and Rescue Operations •  Regular flights to Canadian Armed Forces Station

Alert and other Defence locations for resupply

•  Regularly provide assistance to our federal partners in the North

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Arctic Initiatives

•  Strengthening our Arctic presence and capacity: –  Arctic/Offshore patrol ships

–  Berthing and Refuelling Facility at Nanisivik

–  CF Arctic Training Centre (Resolute Bay)

–  Canadian Rangers Program expansion and modernization

–  Arctic Response Company Groups

–  Primary Reserve Company based in Yellowknife

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Arctic Initiatives

Space-based systems: Capability: Surveillance and Communications

–  RADARSAT-2:

–  Polar Epsilon –  Polar Epsilon 2

–  Polar Communications and Weather Satellite Project

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Defence Cooperation–Bilateral Canada-US

•  Permanent Joint Board on Defence regularly examines Arctic issues

•  Tri-Command Arctic Framework:

Canada-Denmark •  Memorandum of Understanding on Arctic Defence,

Security and Cooperation –  Enhanced consultation, information exchange, visits, exercises

•  Canada-Norway –  Strategic Defence Dialogue

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Defence Cooperation–Multilateral

•  Arctic Council Search and Rescue Agreement (2011) –  Table top exercise to implement the agreement

(Whitehorse, 2011) –  Canada participated in first live exercise under the agreement

hosted by Denmark in 2012

•  Annual meeting of Chiefs of Defence from the eight Arctic nations, inaugurated by Canada in 2012 to strengthen relationships and foster discussions on common safety and security issues

•  Op NANOOK –  Invitations to selected international partners to exercise collective

responses to emerging cross-border challenges.

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Looking Ahead

•  Continued acceleration of interest and activity in the North means that Canadian Armed Forces will play increasingly vital role in the region.

•  North will remain challenging environment in which to operate.

•  Addressing capability gaps in communications, surveillance, infrastructure and sustainment will continue to be top priority.

•  Growing demands and costs of operating in the region mean that strengthening cooperation with territories, OGD, industry and international partners will be increasingly important.

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Questions?