Chief of Defense General Wayne Eyre is also pouring cold water on the idea of permanently deploying large numbers of troops in northern Canada.
Eyre says the army’s current approach is to make sure it can be ready to deploy the necessary troops and equipment in the Arctic if needed.
The comments to a Senate committee this week come as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sheds light on Canada’s northern neighbor’s threat and what it means for that country’s defenses.
Arctic sovereignty and security were at the forefront as Prime Minister Justin Trinto and Defense Minister Anita Anand met with prime ministers from Canada’s three territories on Monday.
The war in Ukraine has also heightened the urgency of ongoing talks with the United States to modernize North America’s aerospace defense administration, with money expected in Thursday’s budget.
This Canadian Press report was first published on April 5, 2022.