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Pierre Leblanc

Pierre Leblanc is a retired colonel and a former commander of the Canadian Forces in the Arctic.

Canada’s underutilized Arctic radar advantage

  • Canada is entering a period of accelerated defence investment. The new federal government has committed to NATO spending benchmarks, and operational commanders must deliver
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | October 8, 2025
Maerospace’s high-frequency surface wave radar site at Cape Race, N.L., showing the transmit array on the right and the dispersed receive antennas on the left. Photograph courtesy of Maerospace

Canada’s underutilized Arctic radar advantage

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | October 8, 2025
  • Canada is entering a period of accelerated defence investment. The new federal government has committed to NATO spending benchmarks, and operational commanders must deliver

Canada’s underutilized Arctic radar advantage

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | October 8, 2025
  • Canada is entering a period of accelerated defence investment. The new federal government has committed to NATO spending benchmarks, and operational commanders must deliver
Maerospace’s high-frequency surface wave radar site at Cape Race, N.L., showing the transmit array on the right and the dispersed receive antennas on the left. Photograph courtesy of Maerospace

Canadian Forces Base Resolute Bay is a better choice

  • Given the new adversarial relationship with the U.S. and our inability to trust any bilateral or international treaty they would sign, Canada would be
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 15, 2025
A Canadian CF-18 fighter aircraft, pictured. The Canadian Forces could use the Resolute Bay facility to support fighter operations, long-range maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned arial vehicles used for Arctic surveillance. A long-range air defence radar would add to the North Warning System, writes Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces/DND

Canadian Forces Base Resolute Bay is a better choice

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 15, 2025
  • Given the new adversarial relationship with the U.S. and our inability to trust any bilateral or international treaty they would sign, Canada would be

Canadian Forces Base Resolute Bay is a better choice

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 15, 2025
  • Given the new adversarial relationship with the U.S. and our inability to trust any bilateral or international treaty they would sign, Canada would be
A Canadian CF-18 fighter aircraft, pictured. The Canadian Forces could use the Resolute Bay facility to support fighter operations, long-range maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned arial vehicles used for Arctic surveillance. A long-range air defence radar would add to the North Warning System, writes Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces/DND

Canada is not equipped to defend its Arctic

  • The world’s rules-based order is at great risk and Canada is not ready, especially in the Arctic.
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 10, 2025
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent approaches the Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean on Sept. 5, 2009. The two ships are taking part in a multi-year, multi-agency Arctic survey that will help define the Arctic continental shelf. Photograph courtesy of Patrick Kelly, U.S. Coast Guard

Canada is not equipped to defend its Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 10, 2025
  • The world’s rules-based order is at great risk and Canada is not ready, especially in the Arctic.

Canada is not equipped to defend its Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 10, 2025
  • The world’s rules-based order is at great risk and Canada is not ready, especially in the Arctic.
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent approaches the Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean on Sept. 5, 2009. The two ships are taking part in a multi-year, multi-agency Arctic survey that will help define the Arctic continental shelf. Photograph courtesy of Patrick Kelly, U.S. Coast Guard

Time to enforce the Polar Code in Canada’s Arctic waters

  • It is time to enforce the seven-year-old Polar Code, which aims to reduce the risk of an accident and loss of life in regions
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | May 23, 2024
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, pictured. At a recent meeting of the Canadian Maritime Advisory Council, Prairie and Northern Region, Transport Canada has indicated that it will increase the inspection of vessels operating in the Canadian Arctic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time to enforce the Polar Code in Canada’s Arctic waters

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | May 23, 2024
  • It is time to enforce the seven-year-old Polar Code, which aims to reduce the risk of an accident and loss of life in regions

Time to enforce the Polar Code in Canada’s Arctic waters

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | May 23, 2024
  • It is time to enforce the seven-year-old Polar Code, which aims to reduce the risk of an accident and loss of life in regions
Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, pictured. At a recent meeting of the Canadian Maritime Advisory Council, Prairie and Northern Region, Transport Canada has indicated that it will increase the inspection of vessels operating in the Canadian Arctic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need a champion and leadership to secure the Arctic

  • Canada’s global reputation on national security is that of a free-loader that does not carry its fair share of defence.
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | August 21, 2023
Pierre Leblanc has been promoting the development of Resolute Bay as a security hub in the Arctic for all the federal departments to deliver on their national responsibilities. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces

We need a champion and leadership to secure the Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | August 21, 2023
  • Canada’s global reputation on national security is that of a free-loader that does not carry its fair share of defence.

We need a champion and leadership to secure the Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | August 21, 2023
  • Canada’s global reputation on national security is that of a free-loader that does not carry its fair share of defence.
Pierre Leblanc has been promoting the development of Resolute Bay as a security hub in the Arctic for all the federal departments to deliver on their national responsibilities. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Forces

Canada must increase surveillance assets in the Arctic

  • True maritime domain awareness in the Arctic requires multiple overlapping systems that authorities can cross-reference to assess vessels operating in our internal waters.
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | December 14, 2022
A Canadian Forces member surveys a North Warning System RADAR tower in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut during Operation NANOOK on Aug.16, 2019. Canadian Armed Forces photograph by Aviator Melissa Gloude

Canada must increase surveillance assets in the Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | December 14, 2022
  • True maritime domain awareness in the Arctic requires multiple overlapping systems that authorities can cross-reference to assess vessels operating in our internal waters.

Canada must increase surveillance assets in the Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | December 14, 2022
  • True maritime domain awareness in the Arctic requires multiple overlapping systems that authorities can cross-reference to assess vessels operating in our internal waters.
A Canadian Forces member surveys a North Warning System RADAR tower in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut during Operation NANOOK on Aug.16, 2019. Canadian Armed Forces photograph by Aviator Melissa Gloude

Canadian Rangers should have their maritime mission

  • In the Arctic, the challenges of lack of infrastructure and the cost of doing business requires a whole-of-government approach where departments share information and
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | December 5, 2022
Canadian Rangers patrol boats, centre and right, sail towards HMCS Harry DeWolf on the Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, during Operation Nanook-Nunkput, Aug. 19, 2021. Photograph courtesy of Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces

Canadian Rangers should have their maritime mission

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | December 5, 2022
  • In the Arctic, the challenges of lack of infrastructure and the cost of doing business requires a whole-of-government approach where departments share information and

Canadian Rangers should have their maritime mission

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | December 5, 2022
  • In the Arctic, the challenges of lack of infrastructure and the cost of doing business requires a whole-of-government approach where departments share information and
Canadian Rangers patrol boats, centre and right, sail towards HMCS Harry DeWolf on the Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, during Operation Nanook-Nunkput, Aug. 19, 2021. Photograph courtesy of Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces

It is time to reconsider the development of Resolute Bay

  • OTTAWA—The Russian invasion of Ukraine has amplified the need for Canada to review its security posture in the Arctic. Even the territorial leadership is
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 25, 2022
Deployed members of the Joint Task Force Support Component arrive at Resolute Bay, Nunavut for Operation NUNALIVUT 2018 on February 27, 2018. Pierre Leblanc makes the case that Resolute Bay should be developed into an expanded security hub serving the North and Canada's Arctic sovereignty. Photograph courtesy of Major Jean-Francois Robert and the Canadian Armed Forces Image Gallery

It is time to reconsider the development of Resolute Bay

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The Russian invasion of Ukraine has amplified the need for Canada to review its security posture in the Arctic. Even the territorial leadership is

It is time to reconsider the development of Resolute Bay

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The Russian invasion of Ukraine has amplified the need for Canada to review its security posture in the Arctic. Even the territorial leadership is
Deployed members of the Joint Task Force Support Component arrive at Resolute Bay, Nunavut for Operation NUNALIVUT 2018 on February 27, 2018. Pierre Leblanc makes the case that Resolute Bay should be developed into an expanded security hub serving the North and Canada's Arctic sovereignty. Photograph courtesy of Major Jean-Francois Robert and the Canadian Armed Forces Image Gallery

A less attractive Northwest Passage is good for Canada

  • OTTAWA—Back in 1998, when I was the commander of the Canadian Forces Northern Area, I became concerned with the impact of global warming and
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | November 9, 2020
U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers in the Arctic. The limited traffic at this time and in the future reduces the likelihood of an environmental incident. It also provides more time for the Canadian authorities to develop properly mapped specific corridors which will reduce the possibility of grounding, damaging important marine life zones, and endangering the Arctic communities, writes Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

A less attractive Northwest Passage is good for Canada

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | November 9, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Back in 1998, when I was the commander of the Canadian Forces Northern Area, I became concerned with the impact of global warming and

A less attractive Northwest Passage is good for Canada

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | November 9, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Back in 1998, when I was the commander of the Canadian Forces Northern Area, I became concerned with the impact of global warming and
U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers in the Arctic. The limited traffic at this time and in the future reduces the likelihood of an environmental incident. It also provides more time for the Canadian authorities to develop properly mapped specific corridors which will reduce the possibility of grounding, damaging important marine life zones, and endangering the Arctic communities, writes Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

U.S. should recognize Arctic waters as Canadian

  • OTTAWA—The Arctic’s capacity as a strategic buffer is eroding rapidly, with the disappearance of ice making it an avenue of threat to the U.S.
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | September 14, 2020
U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers in the Arctic. The Northwest Passage is a disputed and strategically valuable waterway in the High Arctic. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

U.S. should recognize Arctic waters as Canadian

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | September 14, 2020
  • OTTAWA—The Arctic’s capacity as a strategic buffer is eroding rapidly, with the disappearance of ice making it an avenue of threat to the U.S.

U.S. should recognize Arctic waters as Canadian

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | September 14, 2020
  • OTTAWA—The Arctic’s capacity as a strategic buffer is eroding rapidly, with the disappearance of ice making it an avenue of threat to the U.S.
U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers in the Arctic. The Northwest Passage is a disputed and strategically valuable waterway in the High Arctic. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Law allowing for medical assistance in dying needs to be changed as soon as possible

  • The law allowing for medical assistance in dying needs to be changed as soon as possible. Since 2016, MAID has now been available to
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 3, 2020
Minister of Justice David Lametti, pictured on July 25, 2019, at the House Justice Committee, has said he will table new legislation in February amending the criteria for Canadians to have medical assistance in dying. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Law allowing for medical assistance in dying needs to be changed as soon as possible

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 3, 2020
  • The law allowing for medical assistance in dying needs to be changed as soon as possible. Since 2016, MAID has now been available to

Law allowing for medical assistance in dying needs to be changed as soon as possible

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 3, 2020
  • The law allowing for medical assistance in dying needs to be changed as soon as possible. Since 2016, MAID has now been available to
Minister of Justice David Lametti, pictured on July 25, 2019, at the House Justice Committee, has said he will table new legislation in February amending the criteria for Canadians to have medical assistance in dying. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is the Navy missing a great opportunity?

  • OTTAWA—At a recent Canadian Maritime Advisory Council meeting in Ottawa, I was disappointed to learn again that the Royal Canadian Navy still had no
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | June 10, 2019
At a recent Canadian Maritime Advisory Council meeting in Ottawa, I was disappointed to learn again that the Royal Canadian Navy still had no plan to install a multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) on the Arctic offshore patrol ships which are under construction now, writes Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Canadian Hydrographic Service

Is the Navy missing a great opportunity?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | June 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—At a recent Canadian Maritime Advisory Council meeting in Ottawa, I was disappointed to learn again that the Royal Canadian Navy still had no

Is the Navy missing a great opportunity?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | June 10, 2019
  • OTTAWA—At a recent Canadian Maritime Advisory Council meeting in Ottawa, I was disappointed to learn again that the Royal Canadian Navy still had no
At a recent Canadian Maritime Advisory Council meeting in Ottawa, I was disappointed to learn again that the Royal Canadian Navy still had no plan to install a multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) on the Arctic offshore patrol ships which are under construction now, writes Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Canadian Hydrographic Service

Is the Canadian Coast Guard underfunded?

  • OTTAWA—Is the Canadian Coast Guard underfunded? “When there is more ice, you need more icebreakers. When there is less ice, you need more icebreakers.”
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 4, 2019
The CCG Henri Larsen entered service in 1987 (32 years old). Photograph courtesy of Canadian Coast Guard

Is the Canadian Coast Guard underfunded?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Is the Canadian Coast Guard underfunded? “When there is more ice, you need more icebreakers. When there is less ice, you need more icebreakers.”

Is the Canadian Coast Guard underfunded?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | March 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Is the Canadian Coast Guard underfunded? “When there is more ice, you need more icebreakers. When there is less ice, you need more icebreakers.”
The CCG Henri Larsen entered service in 1987 (32 years old). Photograph courtesy of Canadian Coast Guard

Heavy fuel oil must be banned from the Canadian Arctic

  • Over the last decades, Canada has taken successive actions to monitor and minimize the impact of human activities on our environment. For the Canadian
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | September 22, 2017
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent makes an approach to the Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean. 'The momentum to ban [heavy fuel oil] in the Arctic is building and Canada should take advantage of that,' writes Retired Canadian Armed Forces Colonel Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard

Heavy fuel oil must be banned from the Canadian Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | September 22, 2017
  • Over the last decades, Canada has taken successive actions to monitor and minimize the impact of human activities on our environment. For the Canadian

Heavy fuel oil must be banned from the Canadian Arctic

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | September 22, 2017
  • Over the last decades, Canada has taken successive actions to monitor and minimize the impact of human activities on our environment. For the Canadian
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent makes an approach to the Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic Ocean. 'The momentum to ban [heavy fuel oil] in the Arctic is building and Canada should take advantage of that,' writes Retired Canadian Armed Forces Colonel Pierre Leblanc. Photograph courtesy of Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard

Will the Arctic Search and Rescue capability be reduced?

  • OTTAWA—While many welcomed the Dec. 8, 2016, announcement of the selection of the Airbus C295 as the replacement Search and Rescue (SAR) fixed-wing aircraft
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 6, 2017
A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter hoists a Search and Rescue Technician during the National Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX 2016) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories on Sept. 21, 2016. Photograph courtesy of MCpl Pat Blanchard, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

Will the Arctic Search and Rescue capability be reduced?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 6, 2017
  • OTTAWA—While many welcomed the Dec. 8, 2016, announcement of the selection of the Airbus C295 as the replacement Search and Rescue (SAR) fixed-wing aircraft

Will the Arctic Search and Rescue capability be reduced?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | February 6, 2017
  • OTTAWA—While many welcomed the Dec. 8, 2016, announcement of the selection of the Airbus C295 as the replacement Search and Rescue (SAR) fixed-wing aircraft
A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter hoists a Search and Rescue Technician during the National Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX 2016) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories on Sept. 21, 2016. Photograph courtesy of MCpl Pat Blanchard, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

Are the Coast Guard icebreakers ready?

  • OTTAWA—The temperature at the North Pole on Dec. 22, 2016, was 0 degrees Centigrade, up some 20 degrees higher than average. Nature is baffling scientists
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | January 30, 2017
CCGS John G. Diefenbaker conceptual rendering. Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Are the Coast Guard icebreakers ready?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | January 30, 2017
  • OTTAWA—The temperature at the North Pole on Dec. 22, 2016, was 0 degrees Centigrade, up some 20 degrees higher than average. Nature is baffling scientists

Are the Coast Guard icebreakers ready?

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | January 30, 2017
  • OTTAWA—The temperature at the North Pole on Dec. 22, 2016, was 0 degrees Centigrade, up some 20 degrees higher than average. Nature is baffling scientists
CCGS John G. Diefenbaker conceptual rendering. Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Canada should restrict access to northern water corridors

  • The Canadian government should consider placing restrictions on the number of corridors allowed for access to the Arctic waters in order to reduce two
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | July 12, 2016
Members of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Sakskatoon carefully maneuver the ship around a large piece of ice while travelling through the Amundsen Gulf during Operation Nanook in August 2015. Photograph courtesy of DND by Cpl Donna McDonald, AETE Imagery Data Systems

Canada should restrict access to northern water corridors

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | July 12, 2016
  • The Canadian government should consider placing restrictions on the number of corridors allowed for access to the Arctic waters in order to reduce two

Canada should restrict access to northern water corridors

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | July 12, 2016
  • The Canadian government should consider placing restrictions on the number of corridors allowed for access to the Arctic waters in order to reduce two
Members of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Sakskatoon carefully maneuver the ship around a large piece of ice while travelling through the Amundsen Gulf during Operation Nanook in August 2015. Photograph courtesy of DND by Cpl Donna McDonald, AETE Imagery Data Systems

Resolute Bay should be a major government Arctic security hub

  • A number of years ago, I recommended that Resolute Bay be developed as a major government Arctic security hub. A number of recent events
Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | May 16, 2016

Resolute Bay should be a major government Arctic security hub

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | May 16, 2016
  • A number of years ago, I recommended that Resolute Bay be developed as a major government Arctic security hub. A number of recent events

Resolute Bay should be a major government Arctic security hub

Opinion | BY PIERRE LEBLANC | May 16, 2016
  • A number of years ago, I recommended that Resolute Bay be developed as a major government Arctic security hub. A number of recent events
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