Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - September 22, 2024 - At a Mackenzie Institute symposium on Arctic security, senior generals and academics warned that Canada must urgently increase defence spending or risk losing control of the Far North to foreign powers.

To oppose Russian, Chinese, and other invasions, they urged a military presence in the Arctic, transportation infrastructure, and resource development for Indigenous peoples. There is little evidence that the Trudeau government is serious about such issues.

Retired U.S. Gen. Glen Vanherck, who led NORAD, said a revamped defence policy and plans to buy more fighter jets and submarines are good ideas but must be implemented.

He also called Canada's participation in NORAD and NATO "sorely lacking."

The meeting addressed worries that Russia and China are sending more military vessels and aircraft into the Arctic as climate change makes it more accessible.

Some speakers doubted Russia or China would invade the Canadian Arctic or North America.

They want to dominate the region via resource development and infrastructure like ports and roads.

Russia claims to want peace because it wants to exploit the Arctic economically.

Alison LeClaire, Canada's ambassador to Moscow from 2020 to 2023 and top Arctic official before that, noted that Arctic development accounts for 20% of its GDP, compared to 1% in Canada.