Earlier this year, the Government of Yukon established the Yukon Arctic Security Advisory Council to provide advice on future risks and opportunities for the territory. Today, the Yukon Arctic Security Council provided the Government of Yukon its final report.
The report improves the Government of Yukon’s understanding of the context and the needs of the security space in the Yukon, drawing connections between external security threats and what the Yukon needs to do in order to respond to them.
The Government of Yukon believes that developing dual-use infrastructure that can promote economic development and serve defence purposes would strengthen communities with the building of new roads, bridges and other important resources.
The council was formed with the aim of offering independent, unbiased and expert advice to the Government of Yukon on Arctic security issues and how to best engage in conversations with the federal government and the other territories.
As part of this important work, the council analyzed the current and historical security situation for the Yukon, reviewed recent changes in Canadian defence policy and studied opportunities for dual-use infrastructure that furthers economic development.
The report delivers both short and long-term recommendations including:
- how the Government of Yukon can meaningfully engage with Canadian partners on the issues around Arctic security;
- the importance of dual-use infrastructure for civilian and military purposes; and
- opportunities to work with the Government of Canada and Alaska for stronger security in the region and territory.
The Government of Yukon continues to engage with federal partners to ensure that the Yukon’s distinct context and needs are considered in decision making about Arctic security. As the Yukon continues to play a more developed role in the national dialogue on Arctic security, this report will help inform the Government of Yukon determine next steps for how to advise the federal government on opportunities for a more secure Yukon and Canadian North.
Thank you to the Yukon Arctic Security Advisory Council for their extensive work. Using your knowledge and networks, your report outlines the Yukon’s distinct context and will guide us in future discussions around Arctic security. I look forward to ensuring the Yukon’s voice is heard on the national stage on matters of Arctic security.
Matters of Arctic security have taken on new urgency with the assertiveness of China, Russian military engagement in the far North and a complex web of technological and commercial entanglements. The Government of Yukon has taken a bold step by establishing the Arctic Security Advisory Council and by seeking guidance on this, better prepare the Yukon for an increasingly uncertain world.
-
The Yukon Arctic Security Advisory Council was established to provide expert advice on the Yukon’s security infrastructure and strategic direction for meeting the Yukon’s security goals.
-
The Yukon Arctic Security Advisory Council consists of Dr. Ken Coates as Chair, Grand Chief Peter Johnston, Chief Pauline Frost, Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot, Major-General (retired) Derek Joyce, Dr. P. Whitney Lackenbauer and Dr. Jennifer Spence.
-
This report is independent expert advice to the government, giving an informed baseline to build policy. The recommendations do not constitute the Government of Yukon’s policy on these issues.
- Dr. Ken Coates is a Distinguished Fellow and Director of Indigenous Affairs at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and previously the Chair of Yukon University’s Indigenous governance program. His writing focuses on areas such as Arctic sovereignty and northern treaty and land claims processes. Dr. Coates is nationally recognized in the study of northern and Indigenous issues in Canada.
- Grand Chief Peter Johnston was first elected to lead the Council of Yukon First Nations in June 2016. He is on his third term as Grand Chief. He has over 20 years of experience in the public service and has demonstrated his leadership abilities at the highest levels of First Nations Governance. As a member of the Teslin Tlingit Council, he sat in many capacities including education, investments and economic development.
- Chief Pauline Frost has always kept her Gwich’in cultural connections strong, while dedicating her career to furthering the interests of the Vuntut Gwitchin. Before being elected Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Chief, she was elected as the Liberal MLA in the Vuntut Gwitchin electoral district and served as Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation. Chief Frost has also worked for Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation as the nations’ negotiator and intergovernmental coordinator and served as Chair of the Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee.
- Major-General (Retired) Derek Joyce served in the Canadian Forces for 36 years. His career included appointments in Privy Council Office as the Military Advisor to the National Security Advisor and Director of Operations in Foreign and Defence Policy. From 2019 to 2021, he served as Deputy Commander Continental United States NORAD region at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
- Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot is a Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Special Advisor to the Business Council of Canada and Research Advisor to the Indigenous Resource Network. She has 20 years of experience in areas including Indigenous economic development, Arctic security, energy security and Arctic governance.
- Dr. Jennifer Spence is Director of the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Her areas of expertise include international governance, institutional effectiveness, sustainable development and public policy. Dr. Spence also spent 18 years in senior roles with the Government of Canada focusing on resource management, conflict and change management, strategic planning and leadership development.
- Dr. P. Whitney Lackenbauer is Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North and a Professor in the School for the Study of Canada at Trent University. He specializes in Arctic security, sovereignty and governance issues. From 2014 to 2020, he served as the honorary lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group stationed in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and was reappointed to this position from 2022 to 2025.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Keshah Austin
Executive Council Office, Communications
867-332-9283
[email protected]