The Canadian military has been routinely protecting its annual Arctic exercise from possible spying, terrorism and sabotage, reports the Canadian Press (CP) wire service.
Intelligence experts say the move is unusual because the exercise is on Canadians soil, in a remote location, and involves only friendly, close allies. Usually, potential threats at home are the purview of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service or the national police, the RCMP.
The news is also unusual because for years Canada’s top military brass has insisted the country faces no significant military threat in the Arctic.
‘The potential for threats…exist’
Most recently, Capt. Travis Smyth told CPthat the military intelligence branch has a legal responsibility to protect the military forces, adding that although it is held within Canadian borders, the Arctic exercise is “highly visible and the potential for threats to security exist.” He would not say what those threats might be, citing it an operations security matter.
Canadians slogging through freezing temperatures this winter may well wonder what terrorist would be nutty enough to brave even colder temperatures further north.
However, Canada’s current prime minister has put a heavy emphasis on Arctic sovereignty and several countries are surveying the region to prepare territorial claims.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.