Canada Command News Release

NR #09.01027 July 2009

Canada Asserts Sovereignty in the Western Arctic

Canada Asserts Sovereignty in the Western Arctic

YELLOWKNIFE, N.T. - From mid-July to mid-September, the Canadian Forces will conduct Operation NUNAKPUT 09, a sovereignty operation in Canada’s Western Arctic.

This is an integrated sovereignty operation that will see the CF work in close coordination with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). RCMP will conduct small boat patrols along the MacKenzie River and DFO will assist the patrol upon the arrival of the RCMP in the Beaufort Sea. The CF contribution to this year's operation will primarily focus on reconnaissance and information gathering.

“This operation provides a great example of how we project sovereignty in the North - as a team,” said BGen. David Millar, the Commander of Joint Task Force (North) (JTFN). “Northern Canada is a beautiful, but vast territory. By working together with our federal government partners we can provide a more effective watch over Canadian territory, and can increase our capacity to respond to emergencies. In the North, delivering the excellence Canadians expect requires this team approach.”

Operation NUNAKPUT 09 is one of three major sovereignty operations conducted every year by the CF in Canada's North. As one of six regional commands reporting to Canada Command in Ottawa, JTFN is responsible for the conduct of all routine and contingency operations in Canada's North.

Note to Editors: Media are invited to a press conference, Tuesday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m., in the RCMP Headquarters Building.

For more information, please contact:

Summer Halliday
Public Affairs Advisor JTFN HQ,
Phone: (867) 873-0700, ext 6922, Fax: (867) 766-6803, Cell: (867) 444-9228.