Highlighting that the Canadian Arctic, which spans 4 million square kilometers, is facing climate change and that “major powers are seeking to exploit” its resources, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has given the green light to investments of over $35 billion (equivalent to €22.2 billion) “aimed at defending, developing and transforming the region,” which is home to only 140,000 people.
The funds, as reported by The Globe and Mail, “will be used to finance the modernization of airstrips, the construction or renovation of hangars, the storage of ammunition and fuel, as well as the modernization of housing, warehouses, and IT equipment” in four northern bases to support the fighter squadrons of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad).
Investments from a sovereign fund
Two regional operations support centers will also be built “to enable faster military interventions,” as reported by La Presse. In addition to the revitalization of local airports, four major projects, including a 1,200-kilometer road linking Yellowknife and Inuvik, as well as a hydroelectric expansion project, are in the works “for approval.”
