An independent council with the goal of advising the Yukon government on matters of Arctic security says the territory is relatively safe – though it could benefit from proactive planning.
The Yukon Arctic Security Advisory Council was formed last fall to provide expert advice to the government on Arctic security issues and how to best engage in conversations with the federal government and the other territories.
It released its final report to the government on Tuesday.
“The Yukon is, in sum, safe, secure, and prepared, enjoying at least the same degree of protection and security as Canadians in general. Conventional military threats to Arctic security would most likely pass through the Yukon rather than being directed at the Yukon,” the report states.
However, it notes issues like Russian aggression in Europe, melting sea ice, Chinese air balloons, the need for critical minerals and other factors are “raising the geopolitical stakes in the Canadian Arctic.”
Council Chair Ken Coates said at a press conference Tuesday while Yukon is fairly isolated from global security issues, it needs to be prepared.
“The isolation sort of leaves us to think the world doesn’t matter to us too much. Well, I can assure you, the world matters an awful lot, and it matters more than it did five years ago, and it’s probably going to matter even more five years and 10 years and 15 years down the line,” he said.
Premier Ranj Pillai said it’s imperative Yukon strengthen its relationship with Alaska in order to share resources and infrastructure. He said the issue will likely be more prominent with the re-election of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
Pillai said he’s aware Trump’s re-election is an issue for many.
“I think you will see lots of concern about what’s going to happen for development in Alaska,” he said. Alaskans overwhelmingly supported Trump in the November presidential election.
Pillai also noted the federal government’s recent push to spend two per cent of its GDP on defence. A report from the parliamentary budget officer states the government will have to double its current defence spending in order to meet that goal by 2032.
“We know there’s going to be a big ask on the two per cent, making sure that two per cent spend happens,” Pillai said. “I think there’s a potential for more investment into the North now than when it comes to defense, than we’ve seen before.”
The report’s recommendations – which are not binding – include expanding and enhancing support to the Canadian Rangers throughout the Yukon; establish a specialized Canadian Armed Forces Whitehorse-based reserve unit of 30 to 40 people and maintaining reliable energy, transportation and communications infrastructure.
The report also suggests working collaboratively with First Nations in the territory.
Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston, who served on the council, said Indigenous people haven’t always had representation when it comes to matters of defence and security, such as the building of the Alaska Highway in 1942.
“I’m really hoping that throughout this process that we can strengthen the First Nation perspective. We’re going to be here for thousands and thousands more years,” he said.
Chief Pauline Frost of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN) in northern Yukon, who also served on the council, said her community is somewhat vulnerable when it comes to matters of Arctic security. The First Nation is located in the community of Old Crow, the northernmost community in the territory as well as the only fly-in community.
Frost said cell range in Old Crow is poor without access to Starlink and there’s constant flight traffic over her community. She also noted Old Crow’s proximity to the Arctic Ocean as well as flooding and wildfires that have impacted the community in recent years.
“Because we’re isolated, we’re really immune to the international pressures until something significant happens,” she said. “The First Nations need to be included in security matters because it directly affects our land, our people and our airspace. And it’s critical that our voices are at the table.”
Frost described Trump’s re-election as “quite frightening,” especially regarding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northeast Alaska.
Trump has long eyed ANWR as a source of oil and gas development, even opening the refuge to bidders in a failed lease sale in early 2021.
Gwitch’in in Alaska and Canada have long fought to permanently protect the refuge from industry, arguing it could have disastrous effects on the Porcupine caribou herd.
“I think this is probably one of the most challenging times we’ll ever face,” she said.
The report’s recommendations will be presented to the federal government next month.
