Evidence of meeting #11 for National Defence in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was arctic.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Thank you very much.
Can you tell me how many Coast Guard ships are currently operating in the High Arctic?
Marc Mes
During the summer season we have between seven and eight ships that regularly operate in the Arctic.
Conservative
Marc Mes
Currently, we have one left that's closing out the season. The season usually closes out by mid-November. Right now we work with, number one, the demand of industry to ensure that we're able to resupply and escort into communities and, then, to provide science as well as search and rescue.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
In the winter, to the extent that you can operate there...?
Marc Mes
We do not operate after December. We have sometimes gone until the middle of December, but other than that, we don't operate. However, with the acquisition of the two new polar icebreakers that we'll be getting in 2030-31, we will have all-year presence in the Arctic.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Just to clarify something here, you mentioned that it's a civilian operation and that your operations are not expanding, in any way, into military, but on the handout here it has “infrastructure protection”. Can you define what “protection” means, then, in the context of a civilian operation?
Marc Mes
Infrastructure, yes. This is the contribution. If we have a level of awareness of what's happening on the water, we're able to then, by default, help support the protection of infrastructure. If agencies that have to respond, whether it's the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP or even police of local jurisdiction.... If there is a known threat and we identify what that is through the collection of our information, that helps contribute to infrastructure protection.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Do you not feel that being in an active military operation makes you combatants?
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
On sharing info, I think you mentioned that you're already sharing info, in some cases.
Marc Mes
Through the chair, yes, we do share and have the ability to share information for safety. We collect information and then share it for the purposes of safety, and that's the authorization we have. With the new legislation that's being proposed, we will be able to collect for the purposes of security and then share for the purposes of security.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Are there any indications or hard data that the PRC or Russia are expanding their operations in the Arctic right now?
Marc Mes
That's probably something I can't comment on. I think there is media attention and there are others who talk about geopolitical interests, but I can't comment on specifics.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
You've already answered this question, I think: The training is not going to be enhanced to include paramilitary training at all.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
What new types of equipment, infrastructure and capabilities are you going to require for the new role?
Marc Mes
We will, for instance, have to get secure communications capabilities. We already have an element of secure communications on our icebreakers in the Arctic. We have a system called IMIC3, which we share with the navy so that we can do some secure communications. However, it's the secure transfer of data that we will have to enhance on our ships, as well as sensor packages that include underwater sensors, which include drones and others. These are the things we're working on to ensure interoperability with the navy and sharing with our partners.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
To what extent are you concentrating on autonomous...on drones?
Marc Mes
I mean, that's the evolution of technology, and it will be an important element. The Arctic is vast, and you all know that. We have only so many vessels in the Arctic. The Arctic is much larger, so we're going to have to use drones, both underwater and....
We know areas that, potentially, are at risk, such as critical infrastructure. We have underwater cables that we have to be very mindful of, and we're seeing that across the world. At the same time, having an awareness of what's happening on the water also will help us, and we can use drones beyond the line of sight.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Can you describe the new infrastructure you're going to require in the Arctic to support your new mandate?
Marc Mes
Right now there is no requirement. We work without infrastructure in the Arctic. We have a presence in the Arctic. The Coast Guard has a region in Yellowknife. We have SAR and MCTS bases in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, so we do have some infrastructure. However, for our icebreakers to work right now in the Arctic, we don't need infrastructure. We do crew changes in communities. If there is an increase in infrastructure, of course we would take advantage of that, but currently we do not have a requirement for infrastructure.
Conservative
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Thank you very much.
I'm going to pass the rest of my time to Ms. Gallant.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON
I'd just like to put this on notice:
That the committee invite the Parliamentary Budget Officer to appear for no less than two hours to discuss their new report, entitled “Planned Capital Spending under Canada's Defence Policy: 2025 Update”.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Charles Sousa
We have your notice. It will be circulated.
Mr. Watchorn, you have up to five minutes.