Pierre Leblanc
Pierre Leblanc is a retired colonel and a former commander of the Canadian Forces in the Arctic.
Given the new adversarial relationship with the U.S. and our inability to trust any bilateral or international treaty they would sign, Canada would be wise to invest seriously in our own defence.
The world’s rules-based order is at great risk and Canada is not ready, especially in the Arctic.
It is time to enforce the seven-year-old Polar Code, which aims to reduce the risk of an accident and loss of life in regions which are still isolated and very challenging.
Canada’s global reputation on national security is that of a free-loader that does not carry its fair share of defence.
True maritime domain awareness in the Arctic requires multiple overlapping systems that authorities can cross-reference to assess vessels operating in our internal waters.
In the Arctic, the challenges of lack of infrastructure and the cost of doing business requires a whole-of-government approach where departments share information and resources. In those communities that have an Auxiliary Canadian Coast Guard boat, the Canadian Rangers could use the same vessel to conduct their patrols, a cost-effective use of a federal asset.
