The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Pierre Radisson escorts a commercial vessel through ice in Ungava Bay, Canada.
Photos by the CANADIAN COAST GUARD
With the longest coastline in the world, borders along three oceans and the longest inland waterway, Canada is undoubtedly a maritime nation. For more than 60 years, the Canadian Coast Guard has delivered critical services on these waters, saving lives, keeping the economy moving and supporting Canada’s sovereignty — especially in the North.
The Canadian Arctic is unique and ever evolving. It covers 75% of Canada’s coastline and is ripe with opportunities and challenges. Due to its vastness, harsh conditions and limited infrastructure, the region is particularly susceptible to weather events, foreign interests and increased vessel traffic.
Within the government of Canada, several departments and agencies are responsible for ensuring a vibrant and resilient North. However, the Canadian Coast Guard is often the most visible government presence in the North, with its fleet of ships and helicopters playing a key role in gathering maritime domain awareness. Several bases in the region, as well as numerous partners, including volunteers from the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, help to serve as Canada’s eyes and ears on the water.
Given its heightened presence, the Canadian Coast Guard dedicates great time and effort to support Northern communities in addressing distinct, regional challenges. This includes working closely with communities to advance key priorities, such as maritime safety and security, reconciliation with Indigenous people, and science and research. This collaboration is key to the Coast Guard’s vision for the Arctic, which is to enhance its services to meet the unique needs of the North and to evolve the organization’s role as the landscape shifts.
That’s why, in 2018, the Coast Guard established a dedicated Arctic Region to focus on Northern priorities. This was followed by the release of the Arctic Strategy in 2024, which sets out a vision for the Canadian Coast Guard for the next 10 years. This strategy builds on a strong foundation of engagement with Inuit, First Nations, Métis and other Northern partners, and focuses on how the Coast Guard will adapt and enhance its service delivery model over the next decade.
A crucial component of building capacity is investing heavily in the Coast Guard’s fleet of the future. While the Coast Guard currently has icebreakers in the North for six months out of the year, it is working to build two new polar icebreakers, which will allow year-round coverage across the Arctic, including the high Arctic. Work has also begun to procure six new program icebreakers, two Arctic and offshore patrol ships, and up to 16 multipurpose vessels. These modern, ice-capable ships will support Northern residents through a range of critical missions, including assisting the annual resupply of goods to Arctic communities and expanding Canada’s patrol capability in the low Arctic.
Besides new ships and capabilities, the Coast Guard also is building its cooperative relationships with international partners and coast guards. The Arctic is an important region to many like-minded Arctic states, and the Canadian Coast Guard works closely with them, through forums like the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, to advance shared objectives. This includes establishing several agreements with partners, including the United States Coast Guard.
For many decades, Canada and the U.S. have collaborated to ensure safe and efficient marine navigation on our shared waters. This is vital to both countries’ supply chains and economies. The Canadian Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard work closely on a wide range of services at the national level, including environmental response, search and rescue, icebreaking, marine traffic management, and navigation aids.
Joint exercises are common, such as in July 2023, when the Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards carried out a passing exercise in the Arctic, near Point Barrow, Alaska, to test communication methods, small-vessel exercises and sailing maneuvers. It is the Canadian Coast Guard’s strong collaboration with partners that will play a vital role in Canada’s goal to protect and preserve the Arctic.
In 2024, the government of Canada released its updated defense policy, Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence, and the Arctic Foreign Policy. These policies call for greater “presence, reach, mobility and responsiveness” in the Arctic and signal a renewed commitment for Canadian departments and agencies to align their priorities in the North. Both documents offer the potential to leverage the inherent capabilities of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Collaboration with international partners, Canadian provinces and territories, and Indigenous people will be crucial to advance shared objectives toward a resilient and thriving Arctic. The opportunities ahead are numerous, and they are expected to lead to a bright future for the region. For the benefit of all Canadians, the Canadian Coast Guard looks forward to being part of the effort that will help strengthen security and promote a prosperous Arctic.