Latest news with #AnitaAnand
Toronto Sun
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
New Arctic ambassador will play 'key role' in defending sovereignty: Anand
Published Jul 24, 2025 • 4 minute read Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, front left to right, Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister and minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Rebecca Chartrand, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty arrive for a meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, in Inuvik, N.W.T., on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Photo by Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada's new Arctic ambassador will play a key role in preserving sovereignty in the region as the military closely watches the movements of a Chinese icebreaker. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Iqaluit resident Virginia Mearns will be Canada's senior Arctic official on the world stage, following a career with local Inuit governments. 'Canada's Arctic ambassador is going to advance Canada's polar interests in multilateral forums,' Anand told The Canadian Press in an interview from Inuvik, N.W.T. She said Mearns will 'engage with counterparts in both Arctic and non-Arctic states' and 'serve as a representative in our diplomatic core.' Anand said Canada will follow through on its $35-million Arctic foreign policy and its commitment to open new consulates in both Alaska and Greenland, despite the government's announcement of cuts to the foreign service to fund a boost in military spending. She said she plans to visit Greenland to open the consulate 'in due course.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Anand said both consulates will be 'very useful' as they are integrated into the Arctic policy. 'This is a full-court press in terms of ensuring that we are doing whatever it takes to defend Canadian sovereignty,' she said of the Arctic policy. Read More Mearns' appointment coincided with a major meeting Thursday between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Inuit leaders to discuss his government's controversial major-projects legislation. Anand said she attended the meeting in the Northwest Territories because the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee touches on many themes that apply to both Canada's foreign and domestic agendas. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But her visit also comes as the Canadian military closely observes Chinese icebreaker Xue Long 2 as it gathers information north of Alaska. Anand said that in her former role as defence minister, she was 'very concerned about the potential for threats in Arctic waters' and had the Canadian Armed Forces intensify its efforts 'to detect, deter and defend against instances such as Chinese vessels near Canada's Arctic waters.' She said the military 'is actively monitoring the dual-purpose Chinese research vessel,' which she said was not 'in Canadian territorial waters' as of Thursday afternoon. 'The Canadian Armed Forces will continue to actively monitor the vessel, and ensure that Canadian sovereignty is protected at every turn,' she added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 2nd Lt. Cammeron Radford, public affairs officer for the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Command, told The Canadian Press in an email the vessel can be live-tracked on numerous websites. 'The Canadian Joint Operations Command is actively monitoring the vessel Xue Long 2 with a CP-140 Aurora aircraft, based out of Alaska,' he wrote Thursday afternoon. 'Competitors are exploring Arctic waters and the sea floor, probing our infrastructure, and collecting intelligence using dual-purpose research vessels and surveillance platforms. The CAF will continue to actively monitor the Xue Long 2 so long as it continues to operate near Canadian territorial waters.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Canada's Arctic foreign policy document, released last December, noted that Beijing sends research vessels into the Arctic, though it described some of China's forays as 'dual-use,' with both research and military applications. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mearns declined to give an interview when The Canadian Press called her Thursday but she said she would be open to speaking at a later date. Her appointment comes after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly called for Canada to become a U.S. state and floated the idea of annexing Greenland. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which represents the interests of Inuit in Canada, has voiced concerns about another wave of militarization of their territories like the one during the Cold War. Those decades of militarization in the Arctic led to forced relocations of Inuit communities, the loss of property and disruptions to traditional ways of life. ITK has said that Inuit want to help defend Canada against foreign threats but in a way that respects local realities. The group has been in touch with Inuit counterparts in Greenland and Alaska about recent events. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Natan Obed, president of ITK, said he's 'very pleased' with the government's decision to name Mearns as Canada's new Arctic ambassador. Obed said Mearns' name was among those floated to take on the role, though a 'full-scale co-developed process' with the government was interrupted by the federal election. Obed said Mearns will be an 'incredible contributor in diplomacy at this point in time for Canada.' 'And she's an Inuk from Nunavut so also will bring that Inuit perspective to any room that she's in, whether here in Canada or abroad,' Obed said. Anand said Ottawa is very aware of its legacy in the region and wants to build better partnerships. 'The work that the government of Canada is doing now is absolutely essential to ensuring that Canadian sovereignty, and the defence of our Arctic, is fulfilled at the highest level. And that work specifically includes the partnership with Indigenous peoples,' she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The relationship with Indigenous peoples is not only important but also absolutely necessary. And I have learned that they are dedicated, kind and willing partners with whom we will continue to collaborate.' The government's Arctic policy calls for tighter security co-ordination to counteract the closer ties between Beijing and Moscow, and for collaboration on scientific research in the region. The policy document says the North American Arctic is 'no longer free from tension' because of the rise in geopolitical instability following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has 'shaken the foundations of international co-operation in the Arctic.' Ottawa appointed Mary Simon, now governor general, as its first ambassador for circumpolar affairs in 1994. She held the post for a decade. Jack Anawak then held the role until 2006, at which point the Harper government discontinued the post. — With files from Alessia Passafiume and Aaron Sousa in Inuvik. Sports Toronto & GTA Canada Toronto & GTA World
Global News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Global News
New Arctic ambassador will play key role in defending sovereignty: Anand
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada's new Arctic ambassador will play a key role in preserving sovereignty in the region as the military closely watches the movements of a Chinese icebreaker. Iqaluit resident Virginia Mearns will be Canada's senior Arctic official on the world stage, following a career with local Inuit governments. 'Canada's Arctic ambassador is going to advance Canada's polar interests in multilateral forums,' Anand told The Canadian Press in an interview from Inuvik, N.W.T. She said Mearns will 'engage with counterparts in both Arctic and non-Arctic states' and 'serve as a representative in our diplomatic core.' Anand said Canada will follow through on its $35 million Arctic foreign policy and its commitment to open new consulates in both Alaska and Greenland, despite the government's announcement of cuts to the foreign service to fund a boost in military spending. Story continues below advertisement She said she plans to visit Greenland to open the consulate 'in due course.' Anand said both consulates will be 'very useful' as they are integrated into the Arctic policy. 'This is a full-court press in terms of ensuring that we are doing whatever it takes to defend Canadian sovereignty,' she said of the Arctic policy. 1:58 Threat of China reason for 'year-round presence in the Arctic', Carney says Mearns' appointment coincided with a major meeting Thursday between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Inuit leaders to discuss his government's controversial major-projects legislation. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Anand said she attended the meeting in the Northwest Territories because the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee touches on many themes that apply to both Canada's foreign and domestic agendas. But her visit also comes as the Canadian military closely observes Chinese icebreaker Xue Long 2 as it gathers information north of Alaska. Story continues below advertisement Anand said that in her former role as defence minister, she was 'very concerned about the potential for threats in Arctic waters' and had the Canadian Armed Forces intensify its efforts 'to detect, deter and defend against instances such as Chinese vessels near Canada's Arctic waters.' She said the military 'is actively monitoring the dual-purpose Chinese research vessel,' which she said was not 'in Canadian territorial waters' as of Thursday afternoon. 'The Canadian Armed Forces will continue to actively monitor the vessel, and ensure that Canadian sovereignty is protected at every turn,' she added. 2nd Lt. Cammeron Radford, public affairs officer for the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Command, told The Canadian Press in an email the vessel can be live-tracked on numerous websites. 'The Canadian Joint Operations Command is actively monitoring the vessel Xue Long 2 with a CP-140 Aurora aircraft, based out of Alaska,' he wrote Thursday afternoon. 'Competitors are exploring Arctic waters and the sea floor, probing our infrastructure, and collecting intelligence using dual-purpose research vessels and surveillance platforms. The CAF will continue to actively monitor the Xue Long 2 so long as it continues to operate near Canadian territorial waters.' Canada's Arctic foreign policy document, released last December, noted that Beijing sends research vessels into the Arctic, though it described some of China's forays as 'dual-use,' with both research and military applications. Story continues below advertisement 1:54 Canada details new 'Arctic Foreign Policy' in effort to bolster northern presence, security Mearns declined to give an interview when The Canadian Press called her Thursday but she said she would be open to speaking at a later date. Her appointment comes after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly called for Canada to become a U.S. state and floated the idea of annexing Greenland. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which represents the interests of Inuit in Canada, has voiced concerns about another wave of militarization of their territories like the one during the Cold War. Those decades of militarization in the Arctic led to forced relocations of Inuit communities, the loss of property and disruptions to traditional ways of life. ITK has said that Inuit want to help defend Canada against foreign threats but in a way that respects local realities. The group has been in touch with Inuit counterparts in Greenland and Alaska about recent events. Story continues below advertisement Anand said Ottawa is very aware of its legacy in the region and wants to build better partnerships. 'The work that the government of Canada is doing now is absolutely essential to ensuring that Canadian sovereignty, and the defence of our Arctic, is fulfilled at the highest level. And that work specifically includes the partnership with Indigenous peoples,' she said. 'The relationship with Indigenous peoples is not only important but also absolutely necessary. And I have learned that they are dedicated, kind and willing partners with whom we will continue to collaborate.' The government's Arctic policy calls for tighter security co-ordination to counteract the closer ties between Beijing and Moscow, and for collaboration on scientific research in the region. The policy document says the North American Arctic is 'no longer free from tension' because of the rise in geopolitical instability following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has 'shaken the foundations of international co-operation in the Arctic.' Ottawa appointed Mary Simon, now governor general, as its first ambassador for circumpolar affairs in 1994. She held the post for a decade. Jack Anawak then held the role until 2006, at which point the Harper government discontinued the post. — With files from Alessia Passafiume
Toronto Star
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
New Arctic ambassador will play a ‘key role' in defending sovereignty: Anand
OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada's new Arctic ambassador will play a key role in preserving sovereignty in the region as the military closely watches the movements of a Chinese icebreaker. Iqaluit resident Virginia Mearns will be Canada's senior Arctic official on the world stage, following a career with local Inuit governments.
Toronto Star
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Ottawa to appoint Virginia Mearns of Iqaluit as Arctic ambassador
OTTAWA - The government of Prime Minister Mark Carney is naming its Arctic ambassador Thursday as it seeks deeper ties with circumpolar nations at a time of rising security concerns. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand's office says Virginia Mearns will be the Arctic ambassador, which will be Canada's senior Arctic official on the world stage.
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Ottawa to appoint Virginia Mearns of Iqaluit as Arctic ambassador
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to reporters before attending a meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, in Inuvik, N.W.T., on Thursday, July 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck OTTAWA — The government of Prime Minister Mark Carney is naming its Arctic ambassador today as it seeks deeper ties with circumpolar nations at a time of rising security concerns. The office of Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Virginia Mearns will be the Arctic ambassador and will oversee the foreign policy for the region that Ottawa released last December. That policy calls for science collaboration across the Arctic, tighter security co-ordination and new consulates in both Alaska and Greenland. Those pledges came ahead of the government's announcement of cuts to the foreign service — part of Carney's plan to finance a massive boost in military spending. Carney told an event in Inuvik, N.W.T., this morning that he would be officially announcing the appointment later today. Mearns lives in Iqaluit and has worked within local Inuit governments. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
