WHITEHORSE — Yukon’s premier says he and the other two premiers of Canada’s northern territories met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the national defence minister on Monday to discuss Arctic sovereignty and security in light of the war in Ukraine.
A statement from Sandy Silver says the uncertainty created by Russia’s attack on Ukraine has "reinforced the need for a strong Canadian presence in the North."
The statement says Silver met with Trudeau and Anita Anand, along with Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Caroline Cochrane, premier of the Northwest Territories, and they were "assured the current security threat to the North remains minimal."
However, Silver says Russia’s attack puts at risk the future of what have always been "orderly and peaceful" relations between Arctic nations.
Silver says there was consensus among the premiers that strengthening the resiliency of northern communities enhances Arctic sovereignty, and they agreed on the importance of making "significant investmexjmtzywnts" in areas such as energy and climate, housing, healthcare and infrastructure.
The statement says Yukon welcomes Canada’s plans to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, but Silver emphasized the need to bolster the Canadian Rangers, calling them the first line of defence in the North.
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Yukon Premier Sandy Silver addresses the audience at the Yukon Government swearing in ceremony, in the Yukon Government Legislature foyer, in Whitehorse, Monday, May 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Kelly
