Mr. Speaker, in early April, 15 Canadian Rangers and 9 members of the Canadian Forces journeyed through the north to reinforce Canadian sovereignty. This was the longest sovereignty patrol of its kind ever conducted by the Canadian Forces.
The group travelled to Canadian Forces Station Alert, which is the northernmost outpost in Canada on Ellesmere Island, placing three cairns along the way and both the Canadian flag and the Canadian Ranger flag was flown.
The 1,300 kilometre trek started in Resolute on the south coast of Cornwallis Island. Travelling across Devon Island, with some of the harshest terrain, the team endured long snowmobile rides while contending with severe ice, weather conditions, injuries and damage to their equipment.
I applaud the efforts and the daily courage exhibited by those Nunavummiut and Canadian Forces personnel as they made their way to CFS Alert.