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Domestic and Continental Security

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Operation LENTUS

  • Under Operation LENTUS – the Canadian Armed Forces' response to natural disasters in Canada – military members are ready to deploy across the country on short notice when called upon by civilian authorities.
  • In summer 2024, more than 340 Canadian Armed Forces members were deployed to three provinces in response to wildfires: Manitoba, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • In July, the Canadian Armed Forces provided emergency shelter and food services to over 700 evacuees in the community of Labrador City due to impacts from an out-of-control wildfire.
  • In August, the Canadian Armed Forces evacuated over 2,100 residents of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation community in Manitoba by air, due to impacts from an out-of-control wildfire.
  • Also in August, the Canadian Armed Forces provided basic-level firefighting support, in response to the Semo Wildfire Complex in Northern Alberta and in the vicinity of Fox Lake, Alberta.
  • From July to August, the Canadian Armed Forces provided basic-level firefighters, air resources for transporting personnel and equipment, and general support in the Jasper/Hinton area of Alberta. While strategic airlift support was on standby, it was not needed as the situation evolved.

If pressed on suggestions for a "standalone climate disaster force":

  • Emergencies are managed first at the local level: hospitals, fire departments, police, and municipalities.
  • If assistance is needed at the local level, local authorities request it from the provinces or territories.
  • Provinces or territories can seek assistance from the federal government if the emergency escalates beyond their capacity.
  • Canadian Armed Forces members stand ready to help in support of civilian authorities during any crisis in Canada, including natural disasters.

Key Facts

2024 Deployments

  • Newfoundland and Labrador:
    • From July 12-26, 2024, approximately 70 personnel were deployed on Op LENTUS in response to a request from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for assistance in with the evacuation of the community of Labrador City due to impacts from an out-of-control wildfire.
    • 5 Wing Goose Bay, with support from the Canadian Rangers, provided emergency shelter and food services to over 700 evacuees in the region.
  • Alberta (Jasper Wildfire Complex):
    • From July 25 – August 8, 2024, approximately 120 personnel were deployed in response to requests from the Province of Alberta and Parks Canada in their wildfire response.
    • Approximately 120 Regular Force personnel undertook firefighting duties in the Jasper/Hinton area. Those personnel were later relieved by Reserve Forces without any gaps in operations. Strategic airlift support was on stand-by but was not required.
  • Alberta (Northern Alberta – Semo Wildfire Complex):
    • From August 8-15, 2024, approximately 110 Regular and Reserve Force personnel were deployed in response to the Semo Wildfire Complex in Northern Alberta following a request from the Province of Alberta.
    • Approximately 110 personnel undertook firefighting duties in the vicinity of Fox Lake.
  • Manitoba (Bunibonibee Cree Nation):
    • From August 14-16, 2024, 6 x CC130 HERCULES aircraft deployed, with the associated personnel and equipment, to the community of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation in response to a request from the Province of Manitoba.
    • Due to an out-of-control wildfire, over 3 days, the CAF evacuated approximately 2,700 residents on a total of 32 flights.

Details

Operation LENTUS

  • As per the Federal Emergency Response Plan, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are available as a "force of last resort" to assist when a province or territory requests federal support to deal with an emergency.
  • Operation LENTUS is the CAF response to natural disasters in Canada. This operation follows an established plan of action to support communities in crisis. The plan can be adapted to multiple situations, such as forest fires, floods, ice storms, or hurricanes.
    • Based on the request for assistance, the CAF determines how many people to deploy, and what assets are required. For example, in 2023, the CAF deployed approximately 1,760 members during the extremely busy wildfire season across Canada,
    • CAF support is tailored to the province's specific needs, enhancing local resources with unique capabilities to strengthen the emergency response.
  • Tasks performed under Operation LENTUS commonly include:
    • Filling, distributing, and placing sandbags.
    • Mopping up fires.
    • Evacuating and transporting people.
    • Delivering aid to and checking-in on remote communities
    • Assessing infrastructure.
    • Helping law enforcement and provincial authorities to distribute information to the public.

Process for Requests for Assistance

  • A Request for Federal Assistance (RFA) is how a province or territory formally requests support from the federal government.
  • It outlines the need for federal assistance to respond to an emergency when the jurisdiction needs additional resources.
  • Public Safety Canada, through the Government Operations Centre, coordinates the federal response to RFAs, which can include employment of the CAF when appropriate and as a force of last resort.
  • Based on the RFA, the CAF determines how many people to send, and the type of assets it can deploy.

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Arctic Sovereignty and Security

  • This past summer, I had the opportunity to visit Iqaluit, Nunavut and Inuvik, Northwest Territories, where I met with municipal, territorial, and Indigenous officials and highlighted the investments our government is making to better protect the Arctic and the North.
  • Indeed, Our North, Strong and Free sets out a renewed vision for the defence of Canada and places significant emphasis on Arctic and Northern approaches
  • As part of this commitment, we will build a new satellite ground station in the Arctic and set up Northern Operational Support Hubs to improve Canada's presence and responsiveness in the Arctic.
  • National Defence will acquire specialized maritime sensors that can be deployed on Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships.
  • In addition, National Defence will procure up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines.
  • These investments build on the government's $38.6 billion plan to modernize NORAD -- the largest investment in Canada's NORAD capabilities in decades.

Key Facts

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Presence:

  • There are approximately 300 full-time military personnel in the North.
  • 5,000 Canadian Rangers maintain a significant presence in 205 remote and isolated communities, including over 1,800 in 60 communities in the Arctic region.

NORAD Modernization and Our North, Strong and Free Investments with an Arctic Nexus over 20 years:

  • $6.96 billion to bolstering Canada's ability to detect threats earlier and more precisely by modernizing our surveillance systems.
  • $4.13 billion over 20 years to improving the CAF's ability to understand and communicate threats to decision-makers in a timely manner through investments in modern technology.
  • $6.38 billion to strengthen the CAF's ability to deter and defeat aerospace threats by modernizing our air weapons systems
  • $15.68 billion to ensure the Canadian Armed Forces can launch and sustain a strong military presence across the country, including in Canada's North, through investments in new infrastructure and support capabilities.
  • $4.23 billion to future-proof CAF capabilities to defend North America through investments in science and technology.

Our North, Strong and Free also commits to exploring options to:

  • Acquire new vehicles adapted to ice, snow, and tundra.
  • Enable Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships to embark helicopters.
  • Procure up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines.

Details

CAF Footprint in the Arctic

  • The CAF exercises surveillance and control in the Arctic, maintains a visible and persistent presence, responds to aeronautical search and rescue incidents, and contributes to whole-of-government regional priorities.
  • The CAF's permanent presence in the North is anchored by JTF-N in Yellowknife, along with 440 Transport Squadron RCAF, 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Headquarters, and a Company of reserve infantry. Team North comprises approximately 300 personnel, including two JTF-N detachments located respectively in Whitehorse and Iqaluit.
  • Also operating in the North, the CAF's Arctic Response Company Groups are regionally focused elements capable of projecting to Canada's North to conduct sovereignty operations, facilitate disaster response support, and provide general assistance to other Government departments.
  • Further, the CAF's footprint in the North includes:
    • Canadian Forces Station Alert, the northernmost CAF outpost; and
    • CAF Arctic Training Centre in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, which provides a permanent location for training and operations in the High Arctic, including the Canadian Army's annual Northern Exercise.
    • As of 2025, the Royal Canadian Navy will have a refueling facility in Nanisivik.
  • National Defence also has several assets used by NORAD, including the North Warning System, and three Forward Operating Locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Iqaluit, which can accommodate fighter aircraft and other assets supporting NORAD operational requirements and exercises on a temporary basis.
  • Through NORAD modernization, National Defence is investing in upgrading the Forward Operating Locations, as well as Goose Bay. This will support a more robust NORAD and CAF presence, with potential opportunities for multipurpose infrastructure at these sites that could benefit local communities, including Indigenous partners.

Northern Operations

  • Op NANOOK is the CAF' signature northern operation comprised of a series of comprehensive activities designed to enhance and expand the CAF's capabilities, footprint, and readiness; safeguard Canada's Arctic sovereignty; as well as develop interagency, intergovernmental, Indigenous, and multinational partnerships, including with international military partners such as the U.S. and Denmark.
  • Additional northern operations include Operation LIMPID, the CAF's ongoing surveillance and presence mission, and Operation BOXTOP, the mission to supply Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert.

International Cooperation

  • In alignment with Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF), Strong, Secure, Engaged, and the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, the Defence Team is working to enhance cooperation with Arctic Allies and partners to strengthen domain awareness and information sharing.
  • As part of this effort, the CAF is increasing its participation in multinational exercises in the Arctic and continues to encourage key Arctic and non-Arctic Allies and partners to participate in joint activities in Canada's Arctic, including Op NANOOK.
  • National Defence is also deepening strategic-level collaboration with like-minded Arctic Allies and partners, including through Arctic Chiefs of Defence meetings, Arctic Security Forces Roundtable, and ongoing policy engagement at the officials' level.
  • Defence Research and Development Canada participates in the International Cooperative Program for Polar Research to advance scientific knowledge of the evolving Arctic environment; and to ensure continued effectiveness of defence capabilities, systems and platforms, and their potential future adaptation.

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