Fletcher Boards Canadian Patrol Frigate Underway In Canadian Arctic

August 22, 2008

IQALUIT  — Steven Fletcher, Member of Parliament for Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia and Parliamentary Secretary for Health, today accompanied Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and General Walter Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff onboard the Canadian Patrol Frigate HMSC Toronto.

“The Frigate and its crew are very impressive and play a critical role in defending the sovereignty of Canada’s northern waters” said Fletcher. “I enjoyed the discussions we had with sailors, particularly the Winnipeggers serving on board.”

Canadian Patrol Frigate (HMCS Toronto) and a Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel (HMCS Shawinigan) are patrolling the maritime approaches as part of Operation NANOOK 2008. During his stop onboard the HMCS Toronto, Fletcher joined Defence Minister MacKay and CDS General Walter Natynczyk in a townhall meeting with sailors and observed a live action exercise scenario.

The visit to HMCS Toronto marks the conclusion of Fletcher’s participation in Operation NANOOK 2008. The trip made stops throughout the Canadian North, including his historic arrival at Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert that made him the first high-level quadriplegic in the world to reach within less than 1,000 kilometres from the geographic North Pole.

CFS Alert is the most northern permanently inhabited settlement in the world. It is situated on the northeastern tip of Ellsemere Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The station is located about 817 kilometres (450 nautical miles) from the geographic North Pole.

Operation NANOOK 2008 is one of three major sovereignty operations conducted every year by the Canadian Forces in Canada's North. This year’s operation includes exercise scenarios with simulated maritime emergencies, including the evacuation of a ship in distress and an oil spill. These exercises are designed to develop and refine relationships between various agencies that assist in the government’s approach to Arctic sovereignty.

This year’s operation involves approximately 600 Canadian Forces members working alongside personnel from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Coast Guard, Public Safety, Health Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Emergency Management Office Nunavut and others. Operation NANOOK is being conducted by Joint Task Force North (JTFN). As one of six regional commands reporting to Canada Command in Ottawa, JTFN is responsible for the conduct of all routine and contingency operations in Canada's North. JTFN is headquartered in Yellowknife, N.W.T., and commanded by Brigadier-General David Millar.