Canada Announces Northern Operational Support Hubs to Strengthen Arctic Defence
Iqaluit, Nunavut – The Government of Canada is enhancing its defence capabilities in the Arctic and the North with the establishment of Northern Operational Support Hubs in Iqaluit, Inuvik, and Yellowknife. Minister of National Defence Bill Blair announced the initiative today, emphasizing its role in bolstering Canada’s sovereignty and military responsiveness in the region.
As part of the federal government’s Our North, Strong and Free defence strategy, Canada is committing $2.67 billion over 20 years to develop a network of support hubs. These hubs will consist of airstrips, logistics facilities, and essential equipment, allowing the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to maintain a greater year-round presence in the North.
The hubs will serve as key logistical stations, extending the CAF’s operational reach while reducing constraints associated with Arctic deployments. This initiative aims to improve the military’s ability to respond to evolving security challenges and changing environmental conditions in Canada’s northernmost regions.
Northern Operational Support Hubs will provide the @CanadianForces with infrastructure to enhance its presence and responsiveness across the North.
We are working with local communities, partners, and governments to ensure the Hubs also benefit those that live in the North. https://t.co/4tosnIU77Z pic.twitter.com/8rV0ljjhOB
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) March 6, 2025
“This milestone will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with critical infrastructure to enhance its presence and responsiveness across the Arctic and the North,” said Blair. “It marks significant progress in the Northern Operational Support Hub initiative and advances our commitment to working hand-in-hand with federal partners, the provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and Northern communities to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ footprint in the Canadian Arctic.”
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other federal agencies, will continue to identify additional locations for future hubs. The government has committed to ongoing consultations with territorial governments, Northern communities, and Indigenous partners to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.
The establishment of these hubs signals a new approach to defence and sustainment in the Arctic, reinforcing Canada’s ability to assert sovereignty while ensuring the safety and security of northern communities.
