BRITAIN OFFERS CANADIAN MILITARY HELP TO DEFEND THE ARTIC

By Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada:

Britain is signalling its interest in working with the Canadian military in the Arctic by offering to take part in cold-weather exercises and bring in some of its more advanced capabilities — such as nuclear-powered submarines — to help with surveillance and defence in the Far North.

They want to co-operate in terms of helping Canada do what Canada needs to do as an Arctic country.

As members of NATO, both Britain and Canada have taken part in winter warfare exercises in Norway. Gen. Carter Britain's cheif defense, said he believes that co-operation could be expanded to the benefit of both countries.

In a statement ,Defence Minister of Canada, Harjit Sajjan's office said the Arctic is a zone of global co-operation that "demands continued collaboration and partnership with our close allies, including the United Kingdom."

The British offer of co-operation and assistance is a wake-up call for the Liberal government on several different fronts. It's a reminder that Canada needs to be more present in the region.