A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 lands in Inuvik during 2022’s Noble Defender exercise. Defence Minister Bill Blair visited the Arctic community in August 2024 to highlight the increased defense spending in the strategic western Arctic region. CANADIAN NORAD REGION
THE WATCH STAFF
Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair met with Indigenous, municipal and territorial officials in August 2024 at a key western Arctic transportation hub to discuss the country’s emphasis on Arctic security. Blair spent three days in Inuvik in the Northwest Territories explaining Canada’s recently released defense plan, Our North, Strong and Free. “The security challenges facing our Arctic and our North are changing. As our Arctic becomes more accessible due to climate change, authoritarian states are rapidly building up their military capabilities and are becoming more present in the North. With Our North, Strong and Free, Canada is investing in Arctic sovereignty to protect our North and the people who live there. Inuvik is an increasingly vital hub for defense activities, and our significant investments in Inuvik will help to keep Canada safe all while creating economic opportunities,” Blair said, according to a news release from the Department of National Defence.
Accompanied by Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal, Blair made clear to Inuvik officials and residents that the community is vital for the country’s Arctic defense. That importance, he noted, was marked by a training exercise completed earlier in August by a detachment of CF-18 Hornets. “Deploying assets at Forward Operation Locations (FOLs) such as Inuvik increases NORAD’s reach and boosts its ability to defend North America from threats in all approaches in the High North,” the release stated.
Canada’s High North is the focus of the new defense plan. Blair visited the Green Hangar at Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport, which was acquired by the government earlier this year. The hangar’s proximity to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Forward Operating Location Inuvik gave it strategic value, Blair said. The 21,000-square-foot aircraft hangar will be used by federal departments and agencies, including the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). “The facility provides the RCAF with greater ability to operate aircraft in the Arctic, in support of the objectives,” according to the release. The airport’s runway is being extended to 2,743 meters and its lighting, navigational and military aircraft arrestor systems are also being upgraded as part of a $170 million project. “This project will improve the airfield’s suitability to operate larger and heavier aircraft, which is an important enhancement to the ability of NORAD and the RCAF to operate in the North and Arctic,” the release stated. Blair said the construction, already underway, should be completed by 2027. The airport improvements will also benefit its operation as a civilian airport. Our North, Strong and Free dedicates about $1.5 billion in defense spending for Arctic defense, including satellites, maritime sensors, tactical helicopters and early warning aircraft.
As Inuvik continues to develop as a military installation, Blair said, the government is committed to working closely with the territorial and Indigenous governments. The High North’s 150,000 residents most affected by the evolving Arctic security environment will be involved in the plan’s implementation. “In defending the region, Canada will continue to support the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework’s principle of ‘nothing about us, without us,’ and that the economic benefits of defense investments are felt by Indigenous and Northern communities,” the release stated.