On 17 November, Canadian Minister of Defence Bill Blair announced at the Halifax International Security Forum that Ottawa would invest over C$38.6 billion in NORAD modernization, shipbuilding and defence spending. Canada is taking serious economic and military interest within the Arctic. Russian and Chinese vessels have been encroaching upon the northern reaches of US and Canadian exclusive economic zones and penetrating their airspace.
Key Judgement 1. It is likely that Canada will further develop their Arctic infrastructure and invest in resource extraction over the next 12 months.
Key Judgement 2. Canadian military and security capabilities in the Arctic will almost certainly increase over the next 12 months in response to Russian and Chinese encroachment near Canadian Arctic territory.
Key Judgement 3. Indigenous and regional communities in Canada’s Arctic will likely receive further funding and development over the next 12 months.
