Reports have circulated in the Canadian media recently of two separate incidents over the past year which has raised the Canadian Arctic sovereignty issue once again.  Most recently, on the eve of the February visit of US president Obama to Ottawa, it was reported that two Russian bombers came close to Canadian airspace in the environs of the Beaufort sea region.  The other concern raised was of a possible foreign sub spotting in the eastern Canadian Arctic last August.

While both incidents appear to be minor in terms of a non-direct threat to Canadian national security, it does raise the proper awareness to start asking questions such as when will the numerous government military announcements (Arctic patrol vessels, Arctic military training center, deep-water port, etc.) made since the Harper government came into power back in 2006 will turn into tangibal commitments?  It is justifiable to beg such questions as it is becoming clearer (at least through various media reports) that Russia is increasing its military interest in the Arctic due in part to the vast natural resource deposits.