Short-changing the Arctic
National Post · Mar. 24, 2012 | Last Updated: Mar. 24, 2012 4:05 AM ET
The Tories have talked a good game about Canada being an Arctic country. Prime Minister Stephen Harper never misses a chance to tag along with the military during Operation Nanook, an annual military exercise in the Far North. Our leaders get touchy when Moscow or Copenhagen calls into question our sovereignty over northern waters. We fret about Russian bombers and American submarines going where they aren't wanted. And so, in the spirit of projecting Canada's power northward, way back in the long-ago era of 2007, the Tories promised a major naval base in the Arctic.
And then we didn't hear much about it. Until now. Turns out the "major" northern naval base will consist of a few trailers and a guy with a satellite phone. And not all the time, of course. Just in the summer.
An examination of the political literature makes for illuminating reading. A statement made in 2007 describes the proposed facility in exciting terms: "The establishment of a docking and refuelling facility in Nanisivik will better enable the Canadian Forces, and in particular the new Arctic/ Offshore Patrol Ships, to maintain a federal presence in Canada's Arctic waters throughout the navigable season. The site selected for this facility is strategically located inside the eastern entrance to the North West Passage, at Nanisivik in Nunavut. ... With its sheltered harbour, nearby jet-capable airstrip, and proximity to the North West Passage, Nanisivik offers an ideal location for the docking and refuelling facility."
The statement of 2007 noted that "construction at the Nanisivik site is expected to commence in the summer of 2010, with an initial operating capability planned for 2012, and full operational capability by 2015." It would have been used to support our proposed patrol ships, and any other government vessel patrolling in the region. A 2009 update confirmed that the base at Nanisivik was "on schedule" - even if that schedule seemed to be in flux.
Then came the recession. And the Libyan campaign - which came on top of the existing deployment in Afghanistan. But with those missions behind us now, you would think the government would be focusing on fulfilling its Arctic promises.
Instead, the government has backtracked, without admitting it. The new plan, just announced, will see a small, temporary facility set up, to be used as needed: "DND [Department of National Defence] will axe all permanent accommodations for personnel and will use 'existing DND trailers' for those brief periods when the site is used for refuelling government vessels," Postmedia reported this week. "DND is cutting plans to install a telecommunications system, saying staff can use handheld radios and satellite phones instead." When a facility is built to be used on an as-needed basis, the government clearly believes it won't be needed very much.
The original plan for the base would have given Canada a real foothold in Arctic waters. The new plan will give us enough to stage the odd show of presence in the region ... which we already do. Rather than being a gamechanger, this will make what we already do moderately easier. Canada is either going to be an Arctic power or it isn't. If the government can't even commit the $100-million it originally wanted to spend on developing a proper naval base in the Arctic region, the answer to that question is clear.
The government's policy here is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Canada's economy is largely resource-based. And for a relatively modest investment - the creation of the planned base, and perhaps others, as well as an investment in new ships - we have an opportunity to establish ourselves as the incumbent power in large swathes of the Arctic. Instead, we are creating a window of opportunity for other powers to play that role.
