Satellites essential for monitoring the Canadian Arctic will be nearing their end by 2026, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“Renewal of vessels, aircrafts, satellites and infrastructure needed to monitor maritime traffic and respond to safety and security incidents has been delayed to the point where some equipment will likely need to be retired before it can be replaced,” Auditor General Karen Hogan told reporters. .Hogan said federal surveillance relies on aging icebreakers and outdated satellites. .One reporter asked if Canada needs more ships or planes or if it would be enough to have more electronic surveillance. Hogan said there should be a combination of them. .“The ability to be able to surveil the Arctic and monitor what’s happening requires tools, whether it be vessels or aircrafts or satellites or infrastructure,” she said. .“And all of those are aging.”.Auditors said Canadian government departments could not be certain about what is happening in northern waters. Arctic surveillance is carried out by the Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Transport Canada, and the Royal Canadian Navy. .The audit didn't estimate the current annual cost of ineffective monitoring. Auditors said some of the issues included incomplete surveillance, insufficient data about vessel traffic in Canada’s Arctic waters, poor means of sharing information on maritime traffic, and old equipment. .“This finding matters because the lack of awareness about vessels in the Arctic creates vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, could lead to incidents that would affect Canada’s security, safety, environment, and economy,” they said. .“A comprehensive understanding of what happens in the Arctic is essential.”.Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in April he would upgrade the port of Churchill, MB, to ship an additional 100,000 barrels of oil from the Canadian Arctic to international markets..READ MORE: Poilievre commits to ‘unlock the potential’ of Canada’s Arctic ports.Poilievre said government gatekeepers have prevented Canada’s natural resources, particularly oil, from reaching the international market via the port of Churchill..“My government will work to pre-approve permits required to export oil from the Port to markets around the world, giving investors the confidence they need to get it done,” he said.
