The military and the northern infrastructure gap

1. The military and the northern infrastructure gap P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chair Department of History St. Jerome’s University (University of Waterloo) 13 October 2010

2. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, 23 February 2007 “We believe that Canadians are excited about the government asserting Canada’s control and sovereignty in the Arctic. We believe that’s one of the big reasons why Canadians are excited and support our plan to rebuild the Canadian Forces. I think it’s practically and symbolically hugely important, much more important than the dollars spent. And I’m hoping that years from now, Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, military and otherwise, will be, frankly, a major legacy of this government.”

3. Outline • Historical Overview • Strategic / Policy frameworks • Opportunities to leverage DND/CF infrastructure investments to benefit Northern communities … and vice versa

4. ‘‘Of all the polar countries, Canada has been the weakest in developing the potential of its Arctic regions and in responding to its full range of responsibilities.’’

5. “Functional” Approach • Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act (100 miles)

6. Military “Presence” To develop a role merely to satisfy the “optical demands” of political sovereignty “would be to build on shifting sands…. It would not be long before somebody noticed that one visit of the Governor General, accompanied by an enthusiastic press corps, can provide a sovereign presence to a remote area much more effectively and much more cheaply than 100 [Canadian Armed Forces] surveillance overflights.” -- Lawyer Erik Wang, CFHQ, April 1969

7. Sovereignty and Symbolism • Northern Region Headquarters (1970) • NORPLOYs • NORPATs • Land Force exercises • Rangers revitalized

8. Army Operations • Engineers and nation-building • Northern Airfields • Remote bridges

9. “Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic is indivisible. It embraces land, sea and ice.... From time immemorial Canada’s Inuit people have used and occupied the ice as they have used and occupied the land. The policy of the Government is to maintain the natural unity of the Canadian Arctic archipelago and to preserve Canada’s sovereignty over land, sea and ice undiminished and undivided.” Joe Clark, House of Commons Debates, 10 Sept. 1985

10. Asserting Canadian Sovereignty • ↑ CF sovereignty exercises and overflights • Forward Operating Locations • Fixed sub-surface sonar • Polar 8 icebreaker • High Arctic Base • Nuclear submarines • North Warning System

11. Rangers • Perform military tasks in support of sovereignty • Inexpensive & effective • Representative • Bridge between military and Aboriginal cultures • Communities benefit • Media accolades

12. 21st Century Strategic Issues:“The Perfect Storm”? • End of the Cold War: from controlled military area to potential economic zone • Long range air carriers • Maritime Activities • Natural Resources • Organized Crime • Terrorism • WMD

13. Climate Change

14. A Race for Resources?Oil and Gas Source: AMAP

15. Northern Strategy“Use it or lose it” • 6-8 new Arctic/Offshore Patrol vessels • Building a deep water Arctic docking and refuelling facility in Nanisivik • Launched RadarSat-2 • Canadian Forces Arctic Training Centre in Resolute • Polar class icebreaker (CCG) • Arctic Response Company Groups • Yellowknife Reserve Company • Expand and enhance the “Arctic” (Canadian) Rangers

16. Canada First Defence Strategy Six core missions: • Conduct daily domestic and continental operations, including in the Arctic and through NORAD; • Support a major international event in Canada; • Respond to a major terrorist attack; • Support civilian authorities during a crisis in Canada such as a natural disaster; • Lead and/or conduct a major international operation for an extended period; and • Deploy forces in response to crises elsewhere in the world for shorter periods. Stable, Predictable Funding Right Equipment and Training

17. CFDS: Excellence at Home • Finally, the Canadian Forces must have the capacity to exercise control over and defend Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic. New opportunities are emerging across the region, bringing with them new challenges. As activity in northern lands and waters accelerates, the military will play an increasingly vital role in demonstrating a visible Canadian presence in this potentially resource rich region, and in helping other government agencies such as the Coast Guard respond to any threats that may arise.

18. Major JTFN Operations Op NUNALIVUT Mar/Apr Op NUNAKPUT Jul-Sept Op NANOOK Aug

19. Northern Strategy (July 2009) • Strengthen Canada’s sovereignty • Protect our environmental heritage • promote economic and social development • Improve Northern governance

20. Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy (Aug. 2010) • “Our vision for the Arctic is a stable, rules-based region with clearly defined boundaries, dynamic economic growth and trade, vibrant Northern communities, and healthy and productive ecosystems.” • “Canada does not anticipate any military challenges in the Arctic and believes that the region is well managed through existing institutions, particularly the Arctic Council.”

21. Territorial Governments • A Northern Vision: A Stronger North and a Better Canada (2007) • sovereignty comes through sustainable communities, with robust infrastructure, an educated and capable population, and lower costs of living • encouraged the federal government to collaborate “to enhance monitoring and enforcement capabilities in the Arctic” • “Northern issues must be addressed by Northern voices” • “to support increased efforts by Canada to strengthen bilateral relations with our Arctic neighbours to help ensure that our circumpolar interests remain a priority area for multilateral cooperation.”

22. Northern Connections (Feb. 08) “Whether for support of economic development, the enhancement of Canadian sovereignty or the simple matter of equality of northern citizens with those of other areas of Canada, access to and within these regions is integral. Northern transportation infrastructure, where it exists, is ageing and in need of significant re-investment.”

23. “Sovereignty Begins at Home” ‘‘The Arctic also needs investment in infrastructure. Lack of adequate infrastructure capital currently impedes development of viable small business enterprises that are so necessary for a strong and diversified economy.’’ Mary Simon, ‘‘Inuit Unveil Action Plan to Develop Next Chapter of Inuit Development with Canada,’’ Address to The Empire Club of Canada, Toronto, 15 February 2007, 3.

24. Coates and Poelzer, On the Front Lines of Canada’s Northern Strategy (2010) Recommendations: • Develop a long-term plan to invest in northern infrastructure • Make Canada’s North the world leader in climate change adaptation • Use smart military investments as the backbone for building the New North Information technology Make partnership official policy

25. Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden “Let me be clear. Canada does not see a conventional military threat in the Arctic in the foreseeable future.  The real challenges in the region are, therefore, related to safety and security.” Speech to a conference in Washington, DC, 28 April 2010

26. Coastal Erosion Dr. D.E. Atkinson, International Arctic Research Centre, UAF Benjamin James, US Geological Survey

28. Oil and Gas Impacts

29. Coordination of emergency-preparedness systems

31. An Ice-Free NW Passage?

32. AMSA (2009)

36. Historical Themes • Military investment and development stimulated by crisis … and often short-lived • Historically, the military has had a direct and indirect influence on northern socio-economic development – often unintentionally • Bold visions to modernize the north have rarely been implemented • Territorial governments and Aboriginal peoples are now central actors in development, demonstrating sovereignty, and defence

37. The Future Agenda • Hon. Lawrence Cannon (July 2009): “A strategy is only as good as the action it inspires.” • Need to implement the Northern Strategy • Sovereignty well in hand (DFAIT) • DND/CF horizon 1 and 2 focus on security and safety issues (rather than conventional military threats) • Coordinated, sustainable government plan • Leverage public-private partnerships?