Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, for having invited us to share our viewpoints and our knowledge on the Canadian Arctic.
My name is Philippe Hébert, and I am Director of Policy Development. As such, I am responsible for everything related to defence policy as regards the Canadian Arctic. My directorate liaises with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, as well as with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada concerning strategy for the Canadian north. I therefore collaborate a great deal on a policy level with colleagues from other departments. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to discuss these topics with you.
I have a brief statement to make, touching on the security environment in the Arctic, the role and mandate of the Canadian Forces and some of our initiatives related to the north that are currently underway within the Canadian Forces. Commodore Gardam will then talk about the current military resources in the Arctic and the Canadian Forces' operations in the north.
It is certainly very timely for the committee to take a look at these issues now. As you undoubtedly know, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces have been focusing more and more attention on the Arctic. This region—40% of Canada's territory, with a population of about 100,000 people—is undergoing significant changes, especially climate change. Retreating ice cover is opening the way for increased shipping, tourism, resource exploration, and new Arctic shipping routes are being considered.
From a defence perspective, we feel there is no longer a conventional military threat in the north like we had during the Cold War, but obviously sovereignty security challenges could become more pressing as the impact of climate change leads to increased activity throughout the region. While growing activity could lead to substantial economic benefits for Canada, an increasingly accessible north could also result in heightened illegal activity, such as organized crime or illegal immigration.
In addition, inappropriately designed ships could damage the fragile environment of the Arctic. There's also been a significant rise in the number of commercial flights that are passing over Canada's north, so there is greater risk of an air disaster in the region.
Finally, as economic and shipping activity increases in the north, the Canadian Forces may be called upon more often to provide support to ground and maritime-based search and rescue incidents.
The Government of Canada is responding to these changes by developing an integrated Northern Strategy, which was announced in the 2007 Speech from the Throne. This strategy is based on four pillars: exercising sovereignty in the Canadian north, promoting social and economic development; strengthening and devolving governance and protecting the environment.
National Defence contributes to the Northern Strategy by meeting the expectations of the Canada First Defence Strategy. This strategy states that the Canadian Forces will play an increasingly important role in the Arctic in coming years.
Specifically, the Canadian Forces will contribute to strengthening security and demonstrating Canada's sovereignty in the region through surveillance and control operations and a more visible presence. The military must also mount timely and effective responses to emergencies with other government departments. We are training for such eventualities.
It's important to note, however, that other departments and agencies retain the lead for dealing with most northern security issues. Despite this, they often draw upon the capabilities of the Canadian Forces to help fulfill their mandate. So basically we have a very important support role to play in the region.
I also want to emphasize as well that the role and the mandate of the Canadian Forces in the Arctic is not changing as a result of climate change. Really, what climate change means for us is that we'll need to be prepared to do more of what we've already been doing and also to improve our ability to operate in the north. So in that sense we're moving forward with a number of initiatives that would support our activities. You're probably aware of them, including the acquisition of Arctic offshore patrol ships, the establishment of the Nanisivik berthing and refueling facility at the eastern entrance of the Northwest Passage, the expansion and modernization of the Canadian Rangers, the establishment of a Canadian Forces Arctic training centre in Resolute Bay, the establishment of a primary reserve company in the Arctic to be based in Yellowknife, and the establishment of an Arctic readiness company group in each of the land forces areas in southern Canada.
The Canadian Forces also maintain a number of assets in the north and conduct sovereignty operations through Canada Command, and these are issues that my colleague Commodore Dave Gardam will speak to.
Thank you. Merci.