As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada immediately begin the process to procure undersea surveillance capabilities for Canadian Arctic waters in order to detect and monitor the presence of foreign threats to our national security.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada undertake on an urgent basis a procurement process to replace the Victoria-class submarines with new submarines that are under-ice capable for operations in our Arctic waters.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada reconsider its longstanding policy with respect to the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defence program.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada urgently address the personnel crisis in the Canadian Armed Forces by fast-tracking the recruitment of new members, aiming to complete the recruitment process in under six months to ensure we have the level of personnel needed to defend our Arctic now and into the future.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada undertake a comprehensive survey of our infrastructure, including military, civilian, and corporate holdings, as well as natural resources, mining and mineral operations in our Arctic for the purpose forward planning for NORAD modernization, developing a strategy for critical infrastructure investments and protecting Canadian interests from malign foreign actors.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada invest in the technological training necessary for the Canadian Armed Forces to defend against future threats from new and emerging technologies already in use, and being developed, by our adversaries.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada table in the House of Commons the timelines for the enhancement of our Forward Operating Locations in the Arctic, including when they will be able to accommodate the F-35 fighter jet.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada prolong the operating season of the Nanisivik naval station in order to expand the availability of critical infrastructure in our High Arctic.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada immediately begin the procurement process to select a new strategic air-to-air refueling capability that can operate in the Arctic.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada takes steps to increase the availability of hangarage use in the Arctic, especially in Iqaluit and Inuvik, to ensure that infrastructure remains available into the future.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada initiate the replacement of all outdated aircraft used for surveillance and search and rescue in the Arctic, including the Auroras, Twin Otters and Cormorants.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada proactively engage with our American allies to formulate a plan to intensify the speed with which our NORAD modernization progresses and to meet new air-based and missile threats.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada, when and where possible, in collaboration with territorial and Indigenous governments, as well as Indigenous development corporations, ensure that military infrastructure in our Arctic include dual-use benefits to close the infrastructure deficit in Arctic communities.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada increase the presence of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy in the Arctic and ensure the necessary infrastructure and resources are in place to support additional Canadian Armed Forces assets.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada increase the presence of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve in all three of Canada’s Territories in order to assert Canadian security and sovereignty at the extremities of our territory.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada, in consultation with Northern and Indigenous communities as well as Indigenous leaders, rapidly increase the pace of development and deployment of clean and renewable energy sources, including possibly Small Modular Nuclear Reactors for the Canadian Arctic in order to provide the clean energy necessary to support NORAD modernization and to stabilize local energy infrastructure needs.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous-led corporations for the provision of subsea fiber optic and other information technology infrastructure projects to provide increased and affordable Internet coverage across the Arctic.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada strengthen the review process for the sale of Canadian companies operating in the Arctic to entities owned by or controlled by, in whole or in part, foreign state-owned governments.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada proactively ensure that no software or hardware devices used in the upgrade of NORAD infrastructure is developed by or procured from adversarial nations.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada fast-track the renewal of its space-based surveillance system; namely, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission launched in 2019.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada immediately increase the Equipment Usage Rate for the Canadian Rangers. Thereafter, the Government should increase the rate annually in accordance with changes in the country’s inflation rate.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada enhance professional development opportunities for the Canadian Rangers, including through increased operational experiences and emergency response training. To support an increase in the number of such opportunities, the Government should provide the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group with additional administrative resources.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada establish, through the National Search and Rescue Secretariat, a permanent Arctic search and rescue roundtable that includes federal, territorial and Indigenous governments, as well as local first responders. The roundtable should facilitate relationship building, improved communication, and the sharing of best practices regarding search and rescue, and planning for mass rescue operations.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada examine opportunities to improve community-based search and rescue capabilities, including through the expansion of Very High Frequency radio capabilities and other communications in the Arctic that support search and rescue efforts.

Recommendation 25

That the Government of Canada establish additional marine search and rescue stations throughout the Arctic.

Recommendation 26

That the Government of Canada reform domestic defence procurement processes to ensure that major weapons systems and military equipment are delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces more expeditiously and on budget, and to prioritize the development of capabilities that contribute to Arctic defence and security.