QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of National Defence
Arctic Sovereignty
November 1, 2023
Earlier this year, we experienced a foreign object in Canadian airspace over the Yukon. This experience re‑emphasized our dependence on the Alaskans and our Canadian Rangers, who are active and present in every Yukon community. Canada’s commitment to Arctic security in the North is focused on increased funding to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, National Defence and human resources at Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife. The Yukon has three Canadian Armed Forces staff stationed at Camp Boyle Barracks in Whitehorse.
In February, I wrote to your predecessor and asked that an office be centrally located to provide your department with a greater profile and ability to respond in a fulsome manner when needed. I have yet to receive an answer. Minister, are you aware of the minimal presence of the department in the Yukon? What, if anything, is the department doing to increase their presence and capabilities in the Yukon?
Thank you very much, senator. It’s a very important question. The Canadian Armed Forces and the Minister of National Defence have a great deal of priorities right now, but none is greater for me than our important work in maintaining Arctic sovereignty and the investments we have to make in the North.
As you rightfully pointed out, we have made a commitment of $38.6 billion to NORAD modernization, but a very significant portion of that — part will be for investments in over-the-horizon radar and other things — will include a $122 million contract to strengthen Canadian Forces in Alert. It also includes the purchase of offshore patrol ships, of which four of six have been delivered and are available for patrol. I recently met with Duane Smith from the Inuit Nunangat area, as well. Those conversations are also very important.
As part of our commitment on the expenditure of the $38.6 billion for NORAD modernization, there is a commitment in that as well for Indigenous procurement for as much as 5% of that money. I will share with you that I’ve travelled to the Yukon and talked to the territorial government and the First Nations and Inuit governments there about Arctic sovereignty and the work of the Canadian Armed Forces in their region, and they have made it clear that sovereignty for them is investment in airports, highways and infrastructure. We’re committed to doing that.
Minister, you addressed two out of the three territories. I appreciate that National Defence’s financial and human resources are stretched to the limit with responding to natural disasters in Canada and conflicts in the world. Camp Boyle Barracks in Whitehorse can accommodate 400 in the summer months with modernization and more than 100 in the winter months. It serves military training needs and provides facilities for future evacuees. It serves all Canadians with modest capital investment.
Minister, would you commit to having a fulsome review and ensure that you and your department have a greater understanding and use of existing resources at Camp Boyle Barracks in Whitehorse in the Yukon?
I will happily make a commitment to meet with you and discuss your concerns and your recommendations. I want to acknowledge that I have much more to learn about how we need to support the North and also the important role that the North plays in the defence of Canada.
In making commitments as to what we would do, I would need to learn more about it and I would need the opportunity to consult with the Canadian Armed Forces as to what their capabilities are. They are challenged on many fronts. Committing to deploying people into an area is something I would want to do in consultation with them, but I will happily commit to meet with you and discuss your concerns which would give me an opportunity to learn more about that important environment.
