Senator Plett: Leader, under the previous government, the Arctic was treated as a priority. Then your government came to power, and this was largely neglected. Every defence measure currently under way — whether it’s building the new Arctic patrol ships, the naval facility in Nanisivik or an Arctic training centre — these were all initiated by the previous Conservative government, Senator Gold. Since that time, we have seen absolutely no progress apart from empty promises of replacing our fighter jets, starting construction on the planned Arctic icebreakers for the Coast Guard and replacing our submarines — empty promises.

I reiterate my question, leader: Why is the government so intent on ignoring the growing security challenges we face?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, yesterday General Wayne Eyre appeared before the defence committee in the other place. In his testimony, he reminded Parliament of the importance of reinforcing Canada’s sovereignty and security in the Arctic in the face of the increasing threat of Russia and China in that region.

The general said:

. . . in the decades to come, that threat, that tenuous hold that we have on our sovereignty at the extremities of this nation, is going to come under increasing challenge.

As of 2021, Canada only spends about 1.4% of GDP on the military despite a long-standing Russian and Chinese military buildup.

Leader, the only measure that your government is belatedly taking is to promise to upgrade the North Warning System. But even that, leader, has no timeline.

Why is the government so intent on ignoring a growing threat?