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.”
Map of the Arctic region showing the Northeast Passage, the Northern Sea Route, and Northwest Passage.
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
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.”
Email Managing Editor Matt Preprost at editor@ahnfsj.ca
Tim Houston, who is seeking a second term as Nova Scotia premier, said he had no plans to invite Poilievre to join him on the campaign ahead of the Nov. 26 provincial election. He explained the provincial Progressive Conservatives have no formal ties with the Tories in Ottawa — and he made a point of saying he is not a member of the federal party. Experts say it also is because the latest polls suggest Atlantic Canadians have not warmed to Poilievre. (Nov. 5, 2024)
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — It has been a rough few days for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. First, his 19th-ranked Tigers lost to Louisville on Saturday night, then he was told he couldn’t vote Tuesday at his polling place.
Swinney, whose given name is William, explained that the voting system had locked him out, saying a “William Swinney” had already voted last week. Swinney said it was his oldest son, Will, and not him.
“They done voted me out of the state,” Swinney said. “We’re 6-2 and 5-1 (in the Atlantic Coast Conference), man. They done shipped me off.”
Dabo Swinney had to complete a paper ballot and was told there will be a hearing on Friday to resolve the issue.
“I was trying to do my best and be a good citizen and go vote,” he said. “Sometimes doing your best ain’t good enough. You have to keep going though, keep figuring it out.”
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EDMONTON – The judge leading a fatality inquiry into the knockout death of a boxer is recommending changes to how the sport is regulated and how head injuries are monitored.
Timothy Hague, who was 34, competed in a boxing match licensed by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission in June 2017 when his opponent, Adam Braidwood, knocked him unconscious.
Hague came to and was able to walk to the dressing room, where he vomited, and was then taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for a large brain bleed.
His condition did not improve, care was withdrawn and Hague died two days after the fight.
Justice Carrie Sharpe with Alberta’s provincial court made 14 recommendations, including that combat sports be overseen by a provincial authority instead of a patchwork of municipal bodies and that there be concussion spotters at every event.
She also recommends that if a fighter receives a blow to the head in a technical knockout, they must provide a brain scan to prove they are fit to compete again.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
