I don’t know how many of you have traveled to Canada’s far north. Prior to being elected as a Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, I worked in the three northern territories as an exploration geophysicist. This is one of the reasons why I support our Government’s strategy to assert Canada’s Arctic sovereignty.

It is important for all of Canada that we do not lose control of the Arctic or any of the northern regions. These regions are an important part of our history and they also contain mineral wealth. It is also home to the Northwest Passage, a potentially important shipping route which runs through the Arctic.

Various other countries (such as the U.S. and Russia) also have interests in the Arctic—ones that collide with Canada’s. In particular, these northern neighbours disagree that Canada has a right to control the Northwest Passage. They also make claims that interfere with Canada’s economic and territorial sovereignty north of the 60th parallel.

To protect Canada’s control over the Arctic region, the Conservative Government has taken a number of initiatives to strengthen our sovereignty.

First, we are purchasing a series of small ice breakers that will allow the Canadian Coast Guard to travel in the Arctic throughout most of the year. Second, we have increased the size of Canada’s northern Rangers by 900 members. The Rangers are local citizens and part time members of Canada’s military. The rangers are the eyes and ears of the Canadian Forces and help protect Canada and Canadians in the remote regions of the north. Third, we are constructing a deep water port in the Arctic to extend the range of our navy and to allow larger ships to dock. This will allow for further Canadian development in the north. Fourth, a year round Canadian Forces Arctic Training Centre will be established in Resolute Bay.

These steps taken by the government will allow Canadians to physically patrol and develop infrastructure in regions that were previously out of reach. Accordingly, if other countries decide to violate our sovereignty, Canada will have more real assets in place to defend our territory. Defending Canadian sovereignty is more than just talk. When it comes to protecting Canada’s north, the federal government has taken real action.

I’m Brad Trost your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133. I always appreciate your feedback.