Deployment of Canadian Rangers to Nunavik 

6 April 2020 - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group

The 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (2 CRPG) mobilized its 14 Canadian Ranger patrols in Nunavik on April 3rd, 2020, in response to a request from Quebec.

Following an agreement between the provincial and federal governments, 2 CRPG was mandated to assist the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS), which reports to the Ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux (MSSS) of the Quebec Government.

2 CRPG is able to respond to this request for assistance by deploying its military personnel, the Canadian Rangers, who are permanent residents of the 14 Nunavik communities. The Canadian Rangers are members of the Canadian Army Reserve Force who provide the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with a military presence in remote, isolated and coastal areas of Quebec’s Northern and North-Shore regions.

The spread of COVID-19 in remote and isolated communities has been a concern for government authorities since the beginning of the pandemic announcement. The Canadian Rangers are dynamic, dedicated, well-trained and disciplined citizens. Rangers are committed members of their community, mayor's office, band council, essential services, education, health, transportation, infrastructure and more. The well-being and safety of their communities are a priority for our Rangers. 

Tasks performed by the Canadian Rangers in Nunavik will vary according to the needs and approval of the chain of command. As requested by the NRBHSS officials in the communities, the Rangers will prepare triage points to facilitate the work of healthcare personnel. The well-being and safety of the Rangers and their families are a primary concern to the chain of command, therefore Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be distributed to the Rangers involved. Prior to commencing any task that may put their health at risk, Rangers will be adequately trained in the proper use of their PPE. 

As of March 31, there are 305 active Canadian Rangers in Nunavik. In support of Operation LASER, the CAF operation in response to the CODIV-19 pandemic, 2 CRPG plans to mobilize 40 Rangers on continuous standby and another 40 on call for short tasks, as long as their presence is required and authorized.

2 CRPG is sending a command and control element to be co-located with the NRBHSS and the Kativik Regional Government in Kuujjuaq to facilitate coordination between 2 CRPG Headquarters, local civilian authorities and the 14 Canadian Rangers patrols deployed in the communities. The deployed personnel have been in voluntary isolation since March13th, following the order of the Chief of the Defence Staff in anticipation of possible deployment. 

The Canadian Rangers are the eyes and ears of the CAF in remote, coastal and sparsely populated areas of Canada. They provide self-sufficient, lightly equipped mobile forces to support operations on Canadian soil and protect Canadian sovereignty.