Canadian Prime Minister Carney Announces $35 Billion Plan to Strengthen Arctic Defenses

Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, announced a 35 billion Canadian dollar program to bolster defenses in the Arctic region, stating that Canada can no longer rely on the United States.

Speaking on Thursday, March 12, at the Canadian Arctic Military Command Center, Carney said the initiative would enable Canada to assume full responsibility for defending its Arctic sovereignty and achieve greater military independence in the vast and sensitive area.

He noted that climate change has warmed Canada's Arctic nearly three times the global average, prompting major global powers to seek exploitation of the conditions.

Under the program, 32 billion Canadian dollars will be invested in expanding military airports and constructing four support operational centers. Additionally, two commercial airports will be upgraded, and construction of two proposed roads linking the Arctic to southern regions will be accelerated.

The announcement comes as the Arctic's mineral resources hold significant strategic value, though inadequate infrastructure and harsh weather have complicated and increased the cost of extraction operations.