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Domestic and Continental Security

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Operation LENTUS

  • Under Operation LENTUS – the Canadian Armed Forces' response to natural disasters in Canada – military members are ready to deploy across the country on short notice when called upon by civilian authorities.
  • This summer the Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to three provinces in response to natural disasters: Manitoba, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • In August, the Canadian Armed Forces evacuated over 2,100 residents of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation community in Manitoba by air, due to impacts from an out-of-control wildfire.
  • Additionally in August, the Canadian Armed Forces provided firefighting and strategic airlift support to combat wildfires in Jasper, Alberta and in the vicinity of Fox Lake, Alberta.
  • In July, the Canadian Armed Forces provided emergency shelter and food services to over 700 evacuees in the community of Labrador City due to impacts from an out-of-control wildfire.

If pressed on suggestions for a "standalone climate disaster force":

  • Emergencies are managed first at the local level: hospitals, fire departments, police, and municipalities.
  • If assistance is needed at the local level, local authorities request it from the provinces or territories.
  • Provinces or territories can seek assistance from the federal government if the emergency escalates beyond their capacity.
  • Canadian Armed Forces members stand ready to offer assistance in support of civilian authorities during any crisis in Canada, including natural disasters, wherever and whenever required.

Key Facts

2024 Deployments

  • Alberta (Jasper Wildfire Complex):
    • From July 24 – August 8, 2024, approximately 120 personnel were deployed in response to requests from the Province of Alberta and Parks Canada.
    • One aircraft and a helicopter were pre-positioned to support the movement of personnel and equipment as required.
    • Approximately 120 Regular Force personnel executed Type III firefighting duties in Jasper township and surrounding areas. Those personnel were later relieved by Reserve Forces without any gaps in operations.
  • Alberta (Northern Alberta – Semo Wildfire Complex):
    • From August 8-15, 2024, approximately 110 Regular and Reserve Force personnel were deployed to the Fox Lake area in Northern Alberta in response to a request from the Province of Alberta.
    • Approximately 110 personnel executed Type III Firefighting duties to combat the Semo Wildfire Complex.
  • Manitoba (Bunibonibee Cree Nation):
    • From August 14-16, 2024, 5 x CC130 HERCULES aircraft, with the associated personnel and equipment, deployed to the community of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation in response to a request from the Province of Manitoba.
    • In over 3 days, the CAF evacuated over 2,100 residents on a total of 32 flights.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador:
    • From July 12-26, 2024, approximately 70 personnel were deployed on Op LENTUS in response to a provincial request from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
    • 5 Wing Goose Bay provided emergency shelter and food services to over 700 evacuees in the region.

Details

Operation LENTUS

  • As per the Federal Emergency Response Plan, the Canadian Armed Forces provide assistance when a province or territory requests federal support to deal with an emergency.
  • Operation LENTUS is the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) response to natural disasters in Canada. This operation follows an established plan of action to support communities in crisis. The plan can be adapted to multiple situations, such as forest fires, floods, ice storms, or hurricanes.
    • Based on the request for assistance, the CAF determines how many people to send, and what kinds of assets to send with them. In recent years, this has varied from 60 to 2,600 members.
  • Tasks performed under Operation LENTUS depend on the type of natural disaster; however, work commonly includes:
    • Filling, distributing, and placing sandbags.
    • Mopping up fires.
    • Evacuating and transporting people.
    • Delivering aid to and checking-in on remote communities
    • Assessing infrastructure.
    • Helping law enforcement and provincial authorities to distribute information to the public.

Process for Requests for Assistance

  • A request for federal assistance (RFA) is how a province or territory formally requests support from the federal government in their emergency response efforts.
  • It outlines the need for federal assistance to respond to an emergency when the jurisdiction needs additional resources.
  • Public Safety Canada, through the Government Operations Centre (GOC), coordinates the federal response to RFAs, which can include employment of the Canadian Armed Forces when appropriate and as a method of last resort.
  • Based on the RFA, the Canadian Armed Forces determines how many people to send, and the type of assets it can deploy.

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Arctic Sovereignty and Security

  • In response to an evolving security environment, Our North, Strong and Free reaffirms the defence of Canada and places significant emphasis on Arctic and Northern approaches.
  • This past summer, I had the opportunity to visit Inuvik, Northwest Territories, where I met with municipal, territorial, and Indigenous officials and highlighted the investments we are making to better protect the Arctic and the North.
  • Our North, Strong and Free comes with a commitment of $73 billion over the next 20 years.
  • For example, as part of this commitment, we will build a new satellite ground station in the Arctic and set up Northern Operational Support Hubs to improve our presence and responsiveness in the Arctic.
  • We will also acquire specialized maritime sensors that can be rapidly deployed on Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, and we are procuring up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines.
  • These investments build on our $38.6 billion plan to modernize NORAD, which is the largest investment in Canada's NORAD capabilities in decades.
  • The Canadian Armed Forces also maintains a year-round presence in the Arctic through operations, exercises, and training activities, such as Operation NANOOK.
  • National Defence will continue to work to secure our northern regions, and to develop intergovernmental, Indigenous, and multinational partnerships in the Arctic.

Key Facts

CAF Presence:

  • There are approximately 300 full-time military personnel in the North.
  • There are approximately 5,000 Canadian Rangers in 200 remote and isolated communities, including over 1,500 in 61 communities in Canada's Arctic and North.

Our North, Strong and Free Investments with an Arctic Nexus:

  • $218 million over 20 years to establish Northern Operational Support Hubs.
  • $18.4 billion over 20 years to acquire a more modern, mobile, and effective tactical helicopter capability.
  • $307 million over 20 years for airborne early warning aircraft.
  • $1.4 billion over 20 years to acquire specialized maritime sensors to conduct ocean surveillance.
  • $222 million over 20 years to build a new satellite ground station in the Arctic.

Our North, Strong and Free also commits to exploring options to:

  • Acquire new vehicles adapted to ice, snow, and tundra.
  • Enable Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships to operate helicopters.

NORAD Modernization:

  • Announced in June 2022, the Government is investing $38.6 billion over 20 years into capabilities that will modernize Canada's contributions to NORAD and strengthen the all-domain defence of Canada and North America including surveillance, command and control, and communications systems, infrastructure and support upgrades, air weapons systems, and science and technology investments.

Noteworthy Operations in 2024:

  • Northern Exercise: Conducted in February 2024 at the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Arctic Training Centre in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.
  • Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT: Conducted from March 1 to 17, 2024, in and around Resolute, Nunavut and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Op NANOOK-NUNALIVUT is a demonstration of the Government of Canada's commitment to the Arctic and serves to strengthen the CAF's presence in the Arctic while also enhancing our familiarity with the region.
  • Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT: Conducted from August 21 to September 11, 2024. Op NANOOK-NUNAKPUT is a demonstration of Canada's capability to deploy forces in the Arctic. It contributes to domain awareness by CAF elements projecting forces along the Northwest Passage and integrates regional Northern Partners in a series of presence and surveillance activities in Joint Task Force (North)'s (JTFN) Area of Operations.
  • Operation NANOOK-TUUGALIK: Taking place from August 12 to October 9, 2024, in the Labrador Sea, Hudson Bay, and Baffin Bay. This is a maritime exercise intended to build capability in Canada's northern regions and improve interoperability with international partners.

NANOOK Partners:

  • The CAF consults Indigenous and other relevant partners in the planning of each iteration of Op NANOOK. This is conducted through JTFN outreach teams that inform all identified partners on CAF operations in the North.
  • For the 2024 version, the CAF has coordinated with the following partners on Op NANOOK-NANAKPUT in and around Cambridge Bay, NU:
    • Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
    • Kitikmeot Inuit Association
    • Cambridge Bay Hunters and Trappers Association
    • Kivalliq Inuit Association
    • Canadian High Arctic Research Station
    • Cambridge Bay Mayor and SAO

Details

CAF Footprint in the Arctic

  • The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) exercises surveillance and control in the Arctic, maintains a visible and persistent presence, responds to aeronautical search and rescue (SAR) incidents, and contributes to whole of government priorities in the region.
  • The CAF's permanent presence in the North is anchored by Joint Task Force North (JTF-N) in Yellowknife, along with 440 Transport Squadron RCAF, 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Headquarters and a Company of reserve infantry. JTF-N has approximately 300 personnel, including two JTF-N detachments in Whitehorse and Iqaluit.
  • The Canadian Army's Arctic Response Company Groups are regionally focused elements capable of projecting to Canada's North to conduct sovereignty operations, facilitate disaster response support, and provide general assistance to other Government departments.
  • The CAF's footprint in the North also includes:
    • Canadian Forces Station Alert, the northernmost CAF outpost; and
    • CAF Arctic Training Centre in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, which provides a permanent location for training and operations in the High Arctic, including the annual Canadian Army Northern Exercise.
  • National Defence also has a number of assets used by NORAD, including the North Warning System, and three Forward Operating Locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Iqaluit, which can accommodate fighter aircraft and other assets supporting NORAD operational requirements and exercises on a temporary basis.

Northern Operations

  • Op NANOOK is the CAF's signature northern operation designed to enhance and expand the CAF's capabilities, footprint, and readiness, safeguard Canada's Arctic sovereignty, and develop interagency, intergovernmental, Indigenous, and multinational partnerships, including with international military partners such as the U.S. and Denmark.
  • Additional northern operations include Operation LIMPID, the CAF's ongoing surveillance and presence mission, and Operation BOXTOP, the mission to supply Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert.

International Cooperation

  • In alignment with Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF), Strong, Secure, Engaged, and the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, the Defence Team is working to enhance cooperation with Arctic Allies and partners to strengthen domain awareness and information sharing.
  • As part of this effort, the CAF is increasing its participation in multinational exercises in the Arctic and continues to encourage key Arctic and non-Arctic Allies and partners to participate in joint activities in Canada's Arctic, including Op NANOOK.
  • National Defence is also deepening strategic-level collaboration with like-minded Arctic Allies and partners, including through the Arctic Chiefs of Defence, Arctic Security Forces Roundtable, and ongoing policy engagement at the officials' level.
  • Defence Research and Development Canada participates in the International Cooperative Program for Polar Research to advance scientific knowledge of the evolving Arctic environment; and to ensure continued effectiveness of defence capabilities, systems and platforms, and their potential future adaptation.
  • National Defence also cooperates with the United States in the Arctic, including through a number of exercises to improve training in Arctic conditions, improve Allied coordination in the North, and evaluate operational capabilities in the Arctic.

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Continental Defence and NORAD Modernization

  • The Canadian Armed Forces are charged with defending Canada and Canadians.
  • That is why we are investing $38.6 billion over twenty years to modernize our NORAD capabilities.
  • This includes enhanced surveillance, improved command, control, and communications, and modernized air weapons systems.
  • Canada is working closely with the United States as part of these modernization efforts so that we can adapt to evolving security challenges together and maximize the value of our investments.

If pressed on specific initiatives:

  • New technological solutions to enhance domain awareness will significantly improve early warning and tracking of potential threats to North America.
  • We are also upgrading Forward Operating Locations in Inuvik, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit in support of the NORAD mission, and upgrading infrastructure at Goose Bay.
  • Additionally, Canada is investing in capabilities such as the Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and new maritime sensors.
  • Taken together, this marks the most significant upgrade to Canada's NORAD capabilities in nearly four decades.

If pressed on short-term action to bolster continental defences:

  • We continue to advance several key procurement projects that are relevant to continental defence, including the acquisition of 88 F-35 advanced fighter jets and infrastructure upgrades across Canada that will accommodate this new fleet.
  • In August, construction began on the Quick Reaction Alert location in Bagotville, which will include aircraft hangar bays, office space, and sleeping quarters.
  • This, and upgrades at other Quick Reaction Alert locations across the country, will help prepare the way for our new fleet of 88 fighter jets and to ensure we remain interoperable with US capabilities.

If pressed on recent unsafe encounter:

  • I was briefed on this issue and understand that the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.
  • NORAD regularly detects and intercepts aircraft in the Air Identification Zones surrounding North America and will continue delivering on its important mandate to defend our continent.
  • I am confident in the professionalism of NORAD and our members.

Key Facts

Investments:

  • June 20, 2022: National Defence announced $3 billion over six years with $1.9 billion in remaining amortization for NORAD modernization.
    • This is part of the $38.6 billion investment on an accrual basis over 20 years for new capabilities.
  • Five key areas of NORAD modernization investments:
    • enhancing surveillance and threat detection;
    • improving command, control, and communications;
    • modernizing air weapons systems;
    • upgrading our infrastructure and support capabilities; and
    • investing in research and development.

Canadian contributions to NORAD:

  • Canada contributes fighter aircraft, bases, air to air refuelers, and Forward Operating Locations across the country to NORAD.
  • Approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces members support NORAD missions throughout North America.

Engagement with Indigenous partners:

  • As a result of engagement in support of NORAD modernization, the Minister of National Defence was invited to join the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC), which provides an opportunity to affirm our commitment to advancing reconciliation, enhance the relationship with Inuit, and make real progress on common priorities.
  • 45 of the 47 Canadian North Warning System (NWS) radar sites are located within three Inuit Settlement Areas across Canada's North.
    • These sites are maintained through a contract with Nasittuq, an Inuit majority-owned company.
  • NORAD modernization infrastructure planners have travelled to Inuvik, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, and Goose Bay, and had positive meetings with local, provincial/territorial, and Indigenous stakeholders on infrastructure updates to NORAD operating locations.

Details

Funding for NORAD Modernization

  • NORAD modernization is a long-term national defence and security commitment, and the investments announced by the Minister of National Defence in June 2022 protect Canadians against new and emerging aerospace threats to Canada and North America more broadly. Investments are broken down into five inter-related areas:
    1. Bolstering our ability to detect threats earlier and more precisely by modernizing our surveillance systems ($6.96B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
    2. Improving our ability to understand and communicate threats to decision-makers in a timely manner through upgrades to our command, control, and communications systems ($4.13B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
    3. Strengthening our ability to deter and defeat aerospace threats by modernizing our air weapons systems ($6.38B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
    4. Ensuring our Canadian Armed Forces can launch and sustain a strong military presence across the country, including in Canada's North, through investments in new infrastructure and support capabilities ($15.68B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
    5. Future-proofing our capabilities to defend North America through investments in science and technology ($4.23B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)

Canadian Armed Forces Contribution to NORAD

  • In addition to contributing fighter aircraft, bases, air to air refuelers, and Forward Operating Locations across the country to NORAD, Canada is also responsible for maintaining and operating the Canadian Sector of the North Warning System, a chain of radar stations stretching from Alaska to Labrador.
  • 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD): Canadian NORAD Region headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, provides operational command and control of assigned assets while the Canadian Air Defence Sector (CADS) located in North Bay, Ontario provides tactical command and control of assets in the Canadian Sector with direct ties to the NORAD Command Complex in Colorado.

NORAD Modernization Implementation

  • National Defence is working to establish and integrate NORAD modernization projects into the broader Defence program, move out on early priorities in the 20-year plan, and lay the ground for deeper partner and stakeholder engagement on the full suite of initiatives over the coming months and years.
  • National Defence continues to conduct engagements with provincial and territorial partners as well as Indigenous governments and communities, taking a distinctions-based approach, to build relationships and understand their priorities relating to potential NORAD modernization investments.
  • As implementation progresses, National Defence will strive to deliver capabilities that are relevant to, and inclusive of, all Canadians, and underpinned by meaningful dialogue with Indigenous and Northern governments and partners.
  • In implementing the United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, and the Inuit Nunangat Policy, National Defence is committed to early and meaningful consultation and to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into relevant defence activities.

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