Canada is renewing its focus on Arctic security as rising Russian military activity and expanding Chinese influence reshape the strategic importance of the North, according to reporting by Global News. The shift reflects growing concern over sovereignty, surveillance, and national defence as climate change opens new shipping routes and access to natural resources in once inaccessible regions.
Federal officials and defence experts say the priority is deterrence rather than reaction. Retired Major General Denis Thompson told Global News that Canada must ensure potential adversaries think twice before operating in the Arctic. He emphasized that credible military assets do not necessarily need to be permanently stationed in the North but must be capable of operating there quickly and effectively. According to Thompson, this includes aircraft, naval vessels, submarines, and limited ground forces, supported by the Canadian Rangers who are already active in remote northern communities.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has signalled Ottawa’s intent to strengthen its northern posture through infrastructure investment. His inaugural budget included a $1 billion fund spread over four years to support so called dual use projects such as airports, ports, and all season roads that can serve both civilian needs and military operations. The funding is aimed at improving mobility and response capabilities across Canada’s vast Arctic geography.
Beyond physical infrastructure, intelligence and counter espionage efforts are becoming increasingly central to Arctic defence. Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director Daniel Rogers said in a November speech that both cyber and traditional espionage threats are targeting government and private sector activity in the Arctic. Speaking publicly, Rogers warned that China and Russia are actively seeking strategic and economic footholds in the region, citing Russia’s established military presence and China’s ambitions despite being a non Arctic state.
University of Calgary professor Rob Huebert told Global News that Arctic defence also involves countering information warfare. He said hostile states attempt to spread narratives designed to divide Canadians internally, pit political leaders against one another, or weaken Canada’s relationship with the United States. Huebert noted that these efforts are made easier by tensions with Washington under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has signalled a willingness to act unilaterally in the Western Hemisphere.
Polling cited by Global News suggests that some Canadians in the North now view the current U.S. administration as a greater threat than either China or Russia. Huebert said that perception creates fertile ground for foreign misinformation campaigns that frame Canada as vulnerable or isolated from its traditional allies.
Despite political friction, Thompson said Canada’s Arctic defence remains deeply intertwined with American military power, particularly the extensive U.S. presence in Alaska. He told Global News that it is firmly in Washington’s interest to prevent hostile powers from gaining access to what he described as the gateway to southern Canada and the continental United States. Thompson compared the current moment to the early Cold War, when the Arctic was seen as a primary route for potential attacks.
Huebert warned that time is not on Canada’s side. He said major defence procurement takes years, and delays could leave the country exposed if global tensions escalate sooner than expected. He pointed to Canada’s decision to proceed with purchasing F 35 fighter jets as a necessary step but cautioned that much more must be done. According to Huebert, adversaries are unlikely to wait until the late 2030s before testing Canada’s preparedness, raising the stakes for urgent action in the North.
