
Ice floats past HMCS Kingston west of Pond Inlet in the Canadian Arctic, in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
Commentary
Canada is entering a period of accelerated defence investment. The new federal government has committed to NATO spending benchmarks, and operational commanders must deliver tangible capabilities quickly. Nowhere is the gap more visible than in the Arctic, where maritime awareness remains fragile despite its centrality to sovereignty, security, and alliance credibility.
Col. Pierre Leblanc (ret’d) is a former commander of Joint Task Force North, one of six regional joint task forces of the Canadian Armed Forces.



