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The Canadian Forces have incurred shortcomings over the past several years as to adequate military capabilities in the Canadian Arctic, namely no Navy vessels capable to navigate the icy-Arctic waters. To assist, the Canadian Coast Guard provides support in the areas of surveillance, search and rescue; their capabilities are regularly limited in terms of operations (three months per year). Prime Minister Harper announced a list of military upgrades during the summer of 2007 to address this growing concern and are now part of the 2008 Defence Strategy twenty-year road-map -- Canada First:
- Development of up to eight Polar Class 5 Arctic patrol vessels
- Deep-water port for government vessels (Nanisivik)
- Canadian Forces training centre (Resolute Bay)
The Arctic patrol vessels will be built as medium icebreakers, and will service the patrol requirements of Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone for its maritime boundary including: the Arctic, Grand Banks off the Newfoundland coast, and the Queen Charlotte Islands in northern British Columbia. Delivery of the first patrol vessel is expected in 2013.
The deep-water port at Nanisivik on Baffin Island is situated at the location of a recently closed mine and limits construction costs.
The proposed Canadian Forces training centre will be multi-purpose in its mandate and provide support to search and rescue operations (no facility currently exists in Canada’s Arctic).
Artist rendition of the new CCGS Diefenbaker
Image Credit: Globe and Mail
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced in the February 2008 Budget that the Government of Canada will commit $720 million to purchase a new Polar Class icebreaker to replace the thirty-plus year old gem of the Canadian Coast Guard, the Louis S. St. Laurent in 2017. Prime Minister Harper stated in August 2008 that the new icebreaker will be named after former Tory Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. Unlike the proposed military Arctic patrol vessels, the new icebreaker will be able to transit multi-year sea ice and therefore travel to any location in the Canadian Arctic. | 
