Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Recruiting centres were recently closed in certain parts of northern Quebec and Ontario, including Rouyn-Noranda, Thunder Bay, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. There were closures in other areas up north, as well, Yellowknife being one. That leaves a void as far as recruiting goes. The presence of the Canadian Forces, especially reservists, in these areas is becoming more and more flimsy. For instance, the Combat Engineer Regiment in Rouyn-Noranda was merged with Montreal's. And as a detachment, the regiment is losing autonomy.
These areas often act as intermediaries in terms of access to Canada's Arctic. As everyone knows, the Arctic is increasingly important to Canada's resource and land agenda, as well as its ambitions. The Canadian Forces are ensuring that Canada has a larger and larger military presence in the Arctic.
How do you anticipate keeping the military community alive in those intermediary regions of northern Quebec and Ontario?
How will you manage that, in light of the cuts? How will you maintain ties with the community, while keeping these regiments alive?
What role do you foresee the Canadian Forces playing in the Arctic over the next few years? What are your plans as far as personnel and available funding are concerned?