Iqaluit – David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, today announced a foundational investment of $816 million over seven years to strengthen maritime security and expand the Canadian Coast Guard’s role in monitoring Canada’s waters.
Key projects that will strengthen the Canadian Coast Guard’s Arctic maritime domain awareness and federal visibility include:
- creation of a year-round Maritime Domain Awareness Hub in Iqaluit, Nunavut, for collecting and analyzing maritime intelligence;
- addition of reconnaissance equipment to helicopters operating across the country, including in the Arctic, to support security patrols;
- establishment of four new Arctic long‑range marine radar sites at strategic points along the Northwest Passage and the Hudson Strait; and
- acquisition of short- and medium-range endurance aerial, surface and subsurface drones to extend the reach of the Canadian Coast Guard from land or sea.
As a key federal presence in the North, the Canadian Coast Guard plays a vital role in Canada’s maritime security system, working alongside federal and Indigenous partners. The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration Systems and Borders Act gives the Canadian Coast Guard a new security mandate, with authority to conduct security patrols and collect, analyze, and disclose information and intelligence to security and enforcement partners. This authority allows valuable information collected by the Canadian Coast Guard to be leveraged to detect and respond to threats in Canadian waters.
This change is particularly significant in the Arctic, a region that is rapidly evolving with growing global interests, increased vessel traffic, and complex security risks. Investing in more capabilities and tools better prepares Canada to respond to emergent security threats and assert our sovereignty.
Strong partnerships with Inuit across Inuit Nunangat remain a priority for the Canadian Coast Guard in alignment with these new investments. Combined with new capabilities and reinforced relationships, these investments will improve real‑time situational awareness, reinforce year‑round operations in the North, and support the protection and sovereignty of Canada’s northern waters.
Canada must be able to see and respond to all activities in its waters. With its fleet and operational expertise, the Canadian Coast Guard is well-positioned to advance national maritime security priorities across the country, and in collaboration with the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency and other security partners.
(Photos from Canadian Coast Guard)