Canada to partner with Australia on early warning detection system in the Arctic
During his first domestic trip as Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney made significant announcements regarding investments in the military’s infrastructure in the Arctic and in Nunavut during his visit to Iqaluit on Tuesday.
One of the major announcements made by Carney was the investment of over $6 billion into building an early warning radar system along the Canada-U.S. border into the Arctic. This project will be carried out in collaboration with Australia, a long-standing defence partner. The radar system, as part of the modernization plan for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), will enhance long-range surveillance and threat-tracking capabilities to detect and deter threats across the North.
In addition to the radar system, the federal government will be investing $420 million to protect Canada’s sovereignty of land, water, and sea. This investment will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to have a greater and sustained presence in the Arctic, as well as expand training and deployment in the region.
Carney also announced new infrastructure investments totaling $253 million in the North, including upgrades to power plants in Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Igloolik, and Iqaluit, funding for affordable housing, building and repairing homes, and support for the development of a hydroelectricity facility outside of Iqaluit.
During his visit to Iqaluit, Carney had meetings scheduled with Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, as well as representatives from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. The Prime Minister emphasized that these announcements will strengthen Canada’s Arctic security, enhance partnerships with allies, drive economic growth in the North, and support reconciliation efforts with Indigenous communities.
In a press release, Carney stated, “We are strong, united, and sovereign,” highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring the security and prosperity of Canada’s northern regions.
