The world has changed over the last two years. In the Arctic, it鈥檚 changing four times faster.

Words to these effect were echoed by all three federal ministers at the media roundtable discussion for Arctic and northern security in Iqaluit on the morning of May 6.

The federal trifecta, Defence Minister Bill Blair, Foreign Affairs Minister M茅lanie Joly, and 快盈v3 Affairs Minister Dan Vandal had met with the three territorial premiers the previous day in Nunavut鈥檚 capital to discuss the new policies outlined in the federal government鈥檚 latest northern security document, Our North Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada鈥檚 Defence.

Partnership to create infrastructure in support Canada鈥檚 northern peoples

鈥淲e gave [the premiers] an update,鈥� began Blair, 鈥渋n a secure environment on Arctic security and northern security 鈥� We also discussed at some length about climate change and how it鈥檚 disproportionately affecting the Arctic, which is of course warming four times faster than the global average. That is making the Arctic far more accessible. We鈥檙e seeing much greater activity among our potential adversaries, particularly Russia and China, in the region. Our competitors are exploring the waters, probing our infrastructure and collecting intelligence.鈥�

Blair emphasized during the media session that the use of the possessive first person plural, 鈥渙ur鈥�, in the title of the new defence policy, Our North Strong and Free, had been a deliberate point of discussion by policy makers in Ottawa. The colonial approach the federal government has taken in the past when it comes to approaching Arctic sovereignty on Inuit lands has resulted in mistakes 鈥� but mistakes that will help all Canadians learn from the past and implement a better, united approach for the future, said the minister

鈥淲ith the introduction of our new defence policy, from my perspective, but also [because of] a number of really important issues 鈥� We think it鈥檚 very critical that we closely engage with both territorial governments, as well as 快盈v3ers and local Indigenous communities. It is essential we hear directly from them on security and defence concerns 鈥� So that we can work together to protect the Arctic and northern communities and peoples here in Canada.鈥�

Blair touched on the importance of food security in Canada鈥檚 North, but also emphasized the building and creation of five northern hubs, yet to be announced, over the next two decades that will create an enhanced northern infrastructure and line of defence for NATO鈥檚 western and northern flanks, as well as fulfilling Canada鈥檚 duties as the northern partner in NORAD.

The significant financial investments of the federal government include $218 million over 20 years for these 鈥溈煊痸3 Operational Support Hubs鈥� that will establish a greater year-round military presence across the Arctic and the North, and invest in multi-use infrastructure that also meets the needs of territories, Indigenous peoples, and northern communities.

Military investments, to be parceled out over the next two decades, include: $18.4 billion for effective tactical helicopter capability, $307 million for airborne early warning aircraft; $1.4 billion over 20 years to acquire specialized maritime sensors; and $222 million to build a new satellite ground station.

Overall, the federal government is estimating Canada鈥檚 new defense spending to GDP ratio to reach 1.76 per cent in 2029-30, which would have Canada exceed NATO鈥檚 target of 20 per cent for major equipment expenditures as a proportion of defense funding.

Canada鈥檚 reality: a Russia-fronting country

From the foreign policy perspective, which is now inextricable from national defence policy, Joly was quick to assert just how much of a role increasing Russian aggression has informed this joint collaboration going forward between hers and Blair鈥檚 departments.

鈥淢ore than ever, we are indeed a Russia-fronting country. A neighbour to Russia. We know that Russia and China are in the Arctic, and so we need to take stock of that. People in the south don鈥檛 necessarily appreciate as much as people in the North how much of this is just Canada鈥檚 reality.鈥�

Becoming more accessible, becoming better protected

The reality we face in an increasingly unstable, violent, and uncertain geo-political climate is that the 150,000 Canadians, including the Indigenous populations of the North, are no longer protected by the geographical barriers of sea and ice.

Technological advancements and increasing foreign military aggression in the Asian and European arenas make Canada, bordered on three sides by oceans, now vulnerable.

By 2050, the Arctic Ocean could become the most efficient shipping route 鈥�- or the least protected naval frontier 鈥� between Europe and east Asia. Canada鈥檚 Northwest Passage and the broader Arctic region are already more accessible to foreign incursion, 鈥渁nd that brings all sorts of risks鈥� commented Minister Vandal. 鈥淲hen we talk about sovereignty of the North, we talking really about empowering the people that live here, including Inuit, Indigenous, First Nations, and Metis. We鈥檙e talking about better housing, we鈥檙e talking about better infrastructure, dual use 鈥� that people who live here can enjoy and benefit from.

鈥淲e are turning our minds and investments towards that,鈥� said Blair.

The 快盈v3 Policy Framework鈥檚 principle of 鈥渘othing about us, without us鈥� means that no decisions are made about Arctic sovereignty without the direct consultation of northern peoples that come out of meetings such as this.

鈥淓very conversation I鈥檝e had with 快盈v3ers about Arctic sovereignty and about Arctic security,鈥� summarizes Blair, 鈥渢hey鈥檝e told me it鈥檚 really about infrastructure. It鈥檚 about highways and airports. It鈥檚 about fibre optics and water treatment plants, medical facilities and housing. It鈥檚 about building infrastructure in community and in capability. We think there鈥檚 a great opportunity for us to do that 鈥� It could create jobs, but it could also create infrastructure that will support 快盈v3 peoples. We believe that doing that together is the best way to get it done. We鈥檙e continuing to focus on consultation, collaboration, partnership. That is essentially why we鈥檝e come here for this meeting 鈥� Engage in our perspectives, but also learn from theirs.鈥�