Canada must increase its military presence in the Arctic to show Russia and China that it has the capacity to defend its sovereignty over its vast northern expanses for decades to come, is sending that message from the outgoing chief of the defence staff, who is set to step down in the coming days.
General Wayne Eyre, the number one in the Canadian Armed Forces, announced last January that he would retire this summer, after about forty years in uniform. Before leaving, he received The Press in his office at the Ottawa headquarters, to discuss one of the institution’s major projects for the coming decades: the defence of the Far North.
“We have to think strategically. In terms of our sovereignty, there is no threat in the next year. Not in two years. Not in ten years. But if you think 50 years ahead, in the context of a planet with increased access to this region… With increased access comes increased interest. With increased interest comes the possibility of tensions, miscalculations and threats,” he explains.
We see more and more cooperation in the Arctic between Russia and China. It is a concern that in the coming decades, Russia could take a cue from China’s approach in the South China Sea and increase its territorial claims.
Wayne Eyre, outgoing Chief of the Defence Staff
In the South China Sea, Beijing has built heavily defended military installations on several islands in a disputed area, without waiting for any resolution of disputes with countries in the region. A scenario that Wayne Eyre would not want to see repeated in the North.
“We already have competing maritime territorial claims with Russia. And as the region warms and becomes more ice-free, we must avoid being faced with a fait accompli: a situation where Russia is already present and well established. [sur un territoire revendiqué par le Canada] ” he continues.
“Our ability to project lethal capabilities into this region will become increasingly important,” he said of the High North.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Canadian soldiers on mission in the Arctic
Military resources and the ability to mobilize them when needed make it possible to “collectively stop or discourage, with our allies, adventurism, expansionism and the return to an imagined historical glory that Russia has,” believes the outgoing chief of staff.
“We will coexist with countries that are opposed to us, but we must do so from a position of strength,” he said.
Meetings without Canada
However, Canada’s allies are no longer hiding their irritation with Ottawa’s investments in defence, which they consider too low. In May, 23 senators from the two main parties in the United States wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to say they were “deeply disappointed” by the situation and its consequences for NATO. Canada still does not reach the target of defence investments equivalent to 2% of GDP, the objective for members of the military alliance.
Recently, the hierarchy of the Canadian Armed Forces has also realized that Canada was sometimes kept out of certain discussions between allies on military issues.
“It’s our feeling that there are meetings that go on behind the scenes that we’re not necessarily privy to,” Eyre acknowledged. He stressed, however, that it’s up to the government to decide how much money is allocated to the Canadian Armed Forces, not him.
“Strategically, does our country have the potential to do more? Absolutely!” he concedes.
“But on the military side, my colleagues in other countries love what we bring to the table. They really appreciate the skills, the experience and the motivation of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces. We’re good! Our members are very good and there’s a constant demand for more of our troops, more ships, more planes, more of our officers,” he lists.
Work to be done
The career soldier notes that the world situation has changed significantly since he joined the Canadian Forces. “The threats are different. Are we ready to face them? That’s the question I ask myself every day,” he says.
As he prepared for his departure, he said he had admiring thoughts for the work done by the troops on the ground, particularly those young soldiers who continue to provide training to Ukrainian soldiers whose country is fighting the Russian invasion.
But part of his thoughts is also occupied by the challenges that the Canadian general staff will continue to face.
“The demands on us are increasing. We need to work on increasing our capabilities and being ready to respond. We have work to do on both of those aspects,” he said.