Harper commits to protecting Arctic presence (12 photos)

NEWS RELEASES

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

***************************** PM visits Operation Nanook 10

RESOLUTE BAY, NUNAVUT - (August 25) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Operation Nanook 10 today, a major sovereignty exercise conducted by the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Coast Guard and other government departments and agencies in Canada’s North.

“Our government is committed to protecting and asserting Canada’s presence throughout our Arctic,” Prime Minister Harper said. “As the strategic importance of Canada’s Arctic grows, the work undertaken by Operation NANOOK is more valuable now than ever before. With other countries becoming more interested in the Arctic and its rich resource potential, and with new trade routes opening up, we must continue to exercise our sovereignty while strengthening the safety and security of Canadians living in our High Arctic.”

Following the success of previous operations, Operation Nanook 10 is being conducted in Canada’s Eastern and High Arctic from August 6 to 26.

It features sovereignty and presence patrolling, military exercises and a whole-of-government operation that focuses on containment and remediation of a simulated tanker leak in the Resolute Bay area.

This year’s operation is unique in that it will be the northernmost operation of the Nanook series - demonstrating Canada’s capacity and confidence in operating in the High Arctic region.

The Prime Minister thanked the men and women of the Canadian Forces and participants in Operation Nanook 10 for their selfless dedication, commitment and service to Canada, and for their work in our country’s Arctic region.

Pictured: Prime Minister Stephen Harper chats with General Walter Natynczyk, chief of the defence staff, and other staff involved in the planning and execution of Operation Nanook 10.

Photo by Jason Ransom, office of the prime minister.

********************** New phase of RADARSAT will protect Arctic sovereignty, ecosystem and resources

RESOLUTE BAY, NUNAVUT - (August 25) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for the next phase of the Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM), a system of three advanced remote sensing satellites.

“By supporting the world-class Radarsat Constellation Mission, our government will ensure Canada maintains its role as a world leader in aerospace technology,” Prime Minister Harper said. “This cutting-edge project will create highly-skilled jobs, and attract the world’s best scientists, technicians and engineers to Canada’s world-renowned space industry.”

The Radarsat Constellation marks the next phase of Canada’s efforts to use space to our advantage. From the unique vantage point of space, the Radarsat Constellation will provide National Defence with daily coverage of Canada’s land mass and ocean approaches from coast-to-coast-to-coast, especially in the Arctic, and support our troops deployed on active service in Canada and abroad.

“The Radarsat project has consistently allowed us to defend our Arctic sovereignty, protect the Arctic ecosystem, and develop our resources,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This new phase of Radarsat will ensure we stay at the forefront of these priorities.”

Through Budget 2010, the Harper government announced additional support for the Canadian Space Agency to develop the RADARSAT Constellation Mission.

Government support for the RCM will advance the government’s priority to position Canada as a key player in advanced research and space technology development.

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