Yellowknife (Mar 24/06) - The Northwest Territories will see an increase in troops, rescue aircraft and military surveillance gear as Canada reinforces its claim to the Arctic, this country’s second ranking soldier said Wednesday.

Vice-Admiral J.Y. Forcier, the second ranked military commander in Canada, greets Rangers, Wednesday, in Yellowknife at the launch of an ambitious three-week patrol to the Far North. - Andrew Raven/NNSL photo

“In the past (local command) was like a willing landlord. We will see more presence here,” said Vice Admiral J.Y. Forcier, commander of Canada’s domestic forces.

Forcier made the comments during a send-off for 70 Canadian Ranges and armed forces personnel, who embarked on an ambitious $1 million three-week mission in the High Arctic.

Five patrols, which include the best Rangers from the NWT, Nunavut and the Yukon, will cover 4,500 kilometres of harsh terrain around Prince Patrick, Ellesmere, Cornwallis and Ellef Ringes islands.

The mission, code named Operation Nunalivut, comes at a time when Canada’s ability to monitor and control its remote Arctic claims has come under question.

In December 2005, reports surfaced that an American nuclear submarine had passed through Arctic waters. Politicians have also argued that the military does not have the resources to track ships and subs in the Northwest Passage.

During the last federal election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged to beef up the military presence in the North. The Conservative promises included rescue aircraft based in Yellowknife, 500 additional Rangers and a deep-water port off Iqaluit.

Those changes are not on the “immediate horizon,” Forcier said, but civilian and military officials were working on a new defence plan for the North.

“It’s the early days of government. Folks in Ottawa are working on a strategic plan. I’m sure we’ll some something more.”

Forcier said more soldiers will be based in the NWT and the military will improve its surveillance network in the Northwest Passage. That could include underwater surveillance buoys and more detailed satellite imaging, he said.

“From my perspective, the building block ... is situation awareness. To act quicker you have to keep and eye on what’s going on. Surveillance options are something that will be added to our capabilities.”

Even without the changes, the military is not in the dark when it comes to the Arctic, Forcier said. “There are vessels that are moving about. We are aware of them. I know a discussion needs to occur about protocol.”