July 16, 2015 - ARCTIC BAY, NU – The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, met with Canadian Rangers in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, to provide the local patrol with the first opportunity to review a prototype of the new C-19 rifle that will replace the currently used Lee Enfield rifles. Minister Fantino was greeted with an honour guard upon arrival and took the opportunity to discuss the new rifles with the local Canadian Rangers patrol.
On June 23, 2015, Minister Fantino announced that Colt Canada had been awarded a $1.5 million contract for the management of the design competition for the C-19 rifles. This contract includes the delivery and testing of 125 test and evaluation rifles by the Canadian Rangers that will take place during the military exercise Operation NANOOK. This will give the Rangers the opportunity to test the rifles in the harsh and challenging northern climate and provide feedback. Following testing, and any necessary design amendments, the selected new C-19 rifles will be phased into use by all Canadian Rangers between mid-2016 and late-2019.
Ashlee Smith
Director of Communications
Office of the Associate Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
