Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise to speak in response to the question from the hon. member for Yukon.
Our government firmly asserts its presence in the north on multiple fronts, sending a strong message to the world on Canada's right and resolve to protect its territories.
Measures taken include committing $720 million for a new polar class ice breaker, the John G. Diefenbaker, to replace the Canadian Coast Guard ship CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, scheduled to be decommissioned in 2017. The new ship will have increased ice breaking capabilities and be dedicated to the protection and studying of Arctic waters and, by extension, securing Canada's sovereignty in the north. This will increase our ability to patrol.
We will be launching the RADARSAT-2 satellite for monitoring and mapping. We are committed to amending the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act to extend its application to 200 nautical miles. We are creating the Canadian Forces Arctic training centre in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.
We are committed to purchasing new Arctic offshore patrol ships and building a new deepwater berthing and refuelling facility at the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage in Nanisivik, Nunavut; to expanding and modernizing the Canadian rangers program, a very important presence in the north and part of Canada's reserve force responsible for providing a military presence in remote, isolated and coastal communities in Canada; undertaking sovereignty related military operations in the north, such as operation Nanook; working on the northern watch technology demonstration project, which seeks to identify the best combination of sensors for a cost-effective surveillance system in Canada's Arctic; and investing $40 million over four years to carry out the comprehensive mapping of Canada's seabed in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans to support Canada's submission to the UN's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in time to meet the UN deadline of 2013.
It is abundantly clear that our government supports a vision of a new north that realizes its full social and economic potential and secures its future for the benefit of all Canadians.
Through the integrated northern strategy, we focus on strengthening our Arctic sovereignty, protecting the north's environmental heritage, promoting social and economic development and improving and devolving northern governance.
What is more, budget 2009 continues the implementation of this government's vision for a new north with new measures that will protect and secure Canada's sovereignty and create more economic opportunities in the north.
These include $50 million over five years to support economic development through the creation of a new regional economic development agency for the north; $90 million over five years for a renewed strategic initiative for northern economic development; $200 million over two years for new and renovated social housing for low income Canadians in all three northern territories; $87 million over two years to support the government's commitment to Arctic science; $38 million in support of environmental assessments, regulatory coordination, science and aboriginal consultations related to the Mackenzie gas project; and up to $17 million to accelerate the construction of the Pangnirtung, Nunavut, small craft harbour.