MP Bob Zimmer says he is concerned over Russia’s continued military buildup in the Arctic, and Canada’s lack of response to defend its sovereignty in the region.
According to a report from the Russian news agency TASS, the country’s upgraded MiG-31 fighter jets “will boost the efficiency of their missions, in particular to protect Russia’s northern frontiers amid other states’ growing interest in the Northern Sea Route.”
The Northern Sea shipping route runs along Russia’s Arctic coast, opposite of the Northwest Passage that runs along Canada’s coast.
Russia has already rebuilt 10 airfields in the polar region, with several more being prepared, the TASS news agency reported. The long-range MiG-31 jets “performed a flight over the North Pole with mid-air refueling” earlier this year in March — a first for the Russian navy, it said.
“We are planning to use MiG-31 high-altitude interceptors for protecting Russia’s sovereign airspace in the northern directions,” Russia’s Major-General Vladimir Popov was quoted as saying. “A great number of countries has displayed interest in the Northern Sea Route. Both climatic and geographical conditions have become better there.”
Zimmer was appointed as the Conservative critic for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty last month, as well as the critic for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. He called Russia’s increasing militarization in the Arctic concerning, and says the Trudeau government has failed to make defending Canada’s sovereignty a priority.
“[In] the face of growing challenges posed by China and Russia’s Arctic military and economic ambitions, this Liberal government has made no mention in the Speech from the Throne that they are going to take the necessary steps to protect our Arctic sovereignty,” Zimmer said in a joint statement with national defence critic Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
“We are deeply concerned about what this may mean for the future of Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, especially when Justin Trudeau continues to be absent when it comes to ensuring our Northern communities have access to opportunities for economic development.”
This news is concerning and yet another example of Russia continuing to build its military presence in the Arctic. It is well past time for this Trudeau government to start taking defending our Arctic sovereignty seriously. #cdnpoli #arcticsovereigntyhttps://t.co/jQs2Ych1XV
— Bob Zimmer MP (@bobzimmermp) November 26, 2021
The speech from the throne opens every new session of Parliament and sets out the government’s agenda. The latest speech, delivered on Nov. 23, made two scant references to the Arctic, one in the context of climate change, and a second in the context of diplomacy and trade.
“A changing world requires adapting and expanding diplomatic engagement,” the speech said. “Canada will continue working with key allies and partners, while making deliberate efforts to deepen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and across the Arctic.”
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