Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm very honoured to be invited to testify again. I hope the points I can bring to you today on the Canadian Ranger patrols will be helpful.
Today we will focus on the role these patrols play in security in the Canadian Arctic, and what kind of security we're talking about—security for whom, why and how?
When I found out about these patrols almost 10 years ago, in 2013, while writing a master's thesis, my plan was to analyze them from the perspective of traditional security by working on the relationships between civilians and the military, as well as the relationships between indigenous people and the Canadian Armed Forces.
However, over the years of research, interviews and field investigations that I have been able to conduct, I have come to realize that this angle is not sufficient and that it would leave out what these patrols bring and reveal about these Arctic indigenous communities: strong community support, an equally strong desire to preserve their culture and language, the absolute necessity to take care of each other and an unbreakable bond with their territory.
Junior Canadian Ranger patrols also do a lot of work to strengthen the intergenerational ties broken by the federal and provincial governments during the residential school period, as well as all the work to fight suicide among young people by trying to give them a little spark, as was often mentioned to me by members of the 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, in Quebec. In fact, there is a strong desire to strive for the overall and holistic well-being of these communities.
In order to best cover all aspects of this holistic approach, I adjusted my angle of analysis and applied the lens of human security, in its broadest sense, with its seven dimensions, to the study of these patrols. I think it's an indispensable and unavoidable exercise to undertake when we're talking about Canadian Ranger patrols.
I wouldn't be so bold as to go into the details of this cherished Canadian concept here, nor will I launch into a political science lecture on human security. However, I would like to point out how my approach and that of other academics working on the Arctic regions differs from common postures.
In fact, in my research, I choose to apply human security, taken in its broadest sense, not to foreign operations, foreign affairs or peacekeeping operations, but rather at an intra-state level, that is in the relations between a state and its own populations, between a state and its less affluent populations.
Having said that, I've identified some points that I think are worth raising with the committee today.
First of all, if you're interested, we can quickly explain how the Canadian Ranger patrols and their counterparts, the Junior Rangers, reinforce most dimensions of human security. The Canadian Ranger and Canadian Junior Ranger patrols are an example of operationalizing the concept of human security. That is an example to be studied, understood and, who knows, perhaps exported.
We can also talk about how ranger patrols are an example of interculturality, since their cultural diversity is important and represents Canada's cultural richness.
We can also focus more specifically on the main tasks of the Canadian Rangers and detail examples for each of them, starting with the role of the rangers in land protection operations, which can be illustrated in particular in connection with climate change.
Second, in domestic Canadian Armed Forces operations, such as Operation Laser, but also in search and rescue operations, although the rangers are not the first responders, they provide invaluable support and expertise, as my colleague mentioned.
Finally, the presence of Canadian Armed Forces reservists in local communities strengthens these communities, particularly through the patrols of Junior Rangers.
Of course, I remain open to any other subject that would interest you today. I will try to answer your questions, to the best of my knowledge.
Thank you.