A Canadian Vision

Churchill Manitoba – Gateway to Canada’s Future

All but ignored by Canada’s federal governments for decades.  Churchill is a key to Canada’s future. The government did recently help repair the lone railway line to Churchill. But only after the old rail line was washed out cutting Churchill off from civilization for years.  And yes in 2020 there was a whole 1 million dollars designated for Churchill development of which $277,700 went to Thompson Manitoba or Winnipeg.  The rest was spread over 12 small projects.  Churchill is a Jeopardy question only the brightest could answer correctly.  Canadian city on the Hudson’s Bay coast. 

A Vision for Churchill

We in the Cabin have a vision for Churchill.  Churchill as the gateway to Canada’s north, the key to northern development, the key to Canadas northern sovereignty, and the key to a robust Canadian economy.   

Churchill has the only deep-water port on Canada’s north coast.  In the past election, the Conservative party proposed development of a naval base in Churchill. But, even this proposal would have been far too small.  A proper vision for Churchill would not just expand Churchills commercial port, but rather develop a fully integrated commercial port, RCN base, and CCG facility with sufficient docks and facilities to support an expanded commercial port facility, Canadian arctic naval resources, and a major base for Coast Guard assets (Icebreakers, Patrol and Search and Rescue facilities).  The government should then expand the airport facilities in Churchill to include a northern Air Force base supporting long-range patrol aircraft, search and rescue aircraft, cargo aircraft and air defence fighter resources.  A new army base in Churchill dedicated to maintaining the Canadian army’s arctic capability.

To facilitate this large and ambitious project, new railway lines should be built from Ottawa via Sudbury, Winnipeg and Edmonton to Churchill.  Once completed these rail lines would create a large a transport hub which would in turn develop an international trade route from Churchill through the Hudson’s strait to Europe   Effective rail transport from Winnipeg, Toronto, and Edmonton would also encourage settlement alone those lines creating homes for Canada’s growing population.

Economic effects for Churchill

Such a development would drive significant infrastructure development in Churchill. Hospital services, educational resources, social services and all of the quality-of-life aspects in the City of Churchill would be significantly impacted. Making Churchill a legitimate population hub and a destination for families looking to escape the large urban centres.  If this development where managed effectively, Churchill could become a modern, environmentally sound ,human friendly, northern community

The commercial port facility would attract companies focussed on supply to customers both near and far. Nearby First Nations communities along the Hudson’s Bay coast would be significantly affected.  Higher volumes of goods shipped to Churchill would in turn mean more goods distributed around the bay.  This would drive down the cost of food, goods and services in the whole region.

Strategic Effects

The obvious strategic impact of this vision is the creation of a doorway to the establishment of Canada’s northern coast and establishment of Canada’s sovereignty.  Development shouldn’t stop at Churchill.  From the new bases in Churchill, development would move north with a planned military and Coast Guard support base at Coral Harbour,

Coral Harbour ( Salliq )

An island, located on the northern rim of Hudson’s Bay, Coal Harbour was home to a military base during WW2. 

This project would reintroduce Coal Harbour to that purpose, but in a distinctly different function.  Coal Harbour would be responsible for navigation through Hudson’s Bay and into Hudson’s Straight.  It would be responsible for search and rescue for the northern Hudson’s Bay area, and it would be an emergency port-of-call for commercial shipping. It would be a refueling depot for navy and Coast Guard ships. It’s airport would be a jump off base for aircraft heading into Canada’s far north

First Nations

All northern development, as described, would have to be in partnership with the Territorial Governments and structured for the benefit of the Indigenous people living there.  Total cooperation between the Canadian Government, the Territorial Governments, Indigenous Peoples, and the local communities, would bring economic benefits to the whole region.  Included in the benefits would be shorter, more numerous and more heavily travelled transportation routes.  Which in turn would create more frequent supplies to northern communities, good paying long-term jobs throughout the region. One specific aim should be to encourage staffing of Coast Guard facilities with as many people from the local communities and with local expertise as possible.  Included in this effort should be a Coast Guard training facility somewhere in Canada’s north.

The End Game

The final phase of this plan would be the establishment of five Coast Guard facilities and one combined Coast Guard/Military base along the North-West Passage. Location for Coast Guard Stations would be dependent on complexities of navigation, maintenance, medical and logistic support for shipping, etc. (suggested locations for Coast Guard bases are shown on the attached map).  Each Coast Guard station would be manned as necessary year-round with the number of personnel on site consistent with the need.  Each site would be tasked with installing and maintaining aids to navigation in their assigned region, search and rescue, in their assigned region, and policing and security.  The effect of this project would define the sovereignty of Canada’s north and its claims to the North-West Passage.

Far North Combined Coast Guard/ Military Establishment

The Combined Coast Guard and Military establishments at Resolute, would provide more in-depth Coast Guard capability in support of the other sites, with more resources and Command and Control capability. The military establishments would support Canadian security, intelligence gathering, monitoring and marine surveillance.

Summary

If Canada’s politicians had a vision, I think that these things would be done.  This plan is doable and realistic.  If implemented, Canada’s economy would be positively affected, Our security would be advanced, The lives of many of those on the margins who do not get all of the benefits of living in Canada would be enhanced. And in no small way would our national pride be affected

Revision of the National Shipbuilding Scheme

The Vision above would obviously require new Coast Guard assets.  Ice Breakers, Patrol Boats, Search and Rescue craft would all be needed which would have to be planned and built continuing the current non-combat ship building project.  As for the combat ship building, the current plan is for 15- type 26 frigates at a cost of $77.4 Billion. And for what? Really nice looking ships that can sail around protecting American Aircraft Carriers.  A service for which we will not even get any thanks.  These ships have been promoted as having two primary capabilities First “Area Air Defence” (ie; Air defence over a fleet or taskforce), and two, Command and Control. (Ie; Command of a screening force for a task force).  The task forces in question?  Maybe British or French, but most likely American.  Or NATO – commanded by America, or UN commanded by America.  Basically, these ships will provide area air defence for American navy task forces and /or Command of the screening forces for an American Task Force under the command of an American Admiral. 

The Trump presidency if nothing else raised the curtain of the true America.  “Give us the trade deal we want or we will hurt you.”  “Canada is a security threat if we say it is, regardless of how namt years we were supposed to be friends.”  The US are not our friends.  At best we have a cordial business relationship, but the US will do whatever it takes to win if it is in their interest.  And winning is defined as America First.  So, Canada building $5+ Billion ships using Canadian taxpayer’s money so that Canadian ship captains can feel good when an American Admiral tells them they did a good job doesn’t sound like good economics. Given that this argument probably won’t go far I’ll concede 4 such ships.   Four $5+ Billion warships.  The other 11 ships get cancelled.  In their place Canada builds 20, 110 meter Corvettes.  Smaller, much cheaper, fully armed and capable warships.  Ships designed primarily for the defence of Canada.  Although tasks like anti-piracy patrols or good will trips would still be well within their capability.  Armed with vertical launch missiles (anti-air, anti-ship and anti-submarine), anti-submarine sonar, full combat systems and a helicopter these ships would be fully capable of defending themselves and an area assigned to them. These ships may have fewer weapons maybe ten or twelve vertical launchers, not 40.  All 20 of these ships could be designed and built within ten years. Built in all capable shipyards. 

Once the building of these ships in underway, follow on shipbuilding will be planned – Priority should be given to AIP submarines capable of patrolling under ice which provides an additional purpose for far north naval establishments.