Frostbite is least of worries for Canada forces grappling with new Arctic reality

The finish line for Canadian army reservists was marked by a row of spruce trees after a two-month endurance test in one of the planet’s most unforgiving environments: Canada’s expansive Arctic. The patrol, which concluded in Churchill, Manitoba, on Friday, represented the Canadian Rangers’ largest northern operation to date—a unit within the Canadian Armed Forces tasked with overseeing the country’s far-flung northern regions.

Over 5,200 kilometers (3,200 miles), the team navigated an untraveled route in the Arctic, last attempted 80 years ago. Snowmobiles were used to traverse icy landscapes, while blizzards and high winds tested their resilience during long stretches between isolated communities. Temperatures dropped to -60°C (-76°F), forcing soldiers to sleep in tents on frozen ground. On the final night, they camped beside a derelict trading post near Hudson Bay, where the ice cracked beneath their feet and the aurora borealis shimmered overhead.

Geopolitical stakes and Arctic readiness

Canada’s annual military operation in the north serves as a demonstration of its strategic presence in the region. This year, 1,300 personnel participated, focusing on land surveys, climate change research, and assessing Arctic survival and combat readiness. The Arctic, which covers 40% of Canada’s landmass and 70% of its coastline, has become a focal point for global powers as warming temperatures reshape its geography.

Recent tensions have intensified due to geopolitical competition over Arctic resources. In January, US President Donald Trump’s claim to annex Greenland, a Danish territory adjacent to Canada, heightened concerns among NATO allies. Despite these developments, Brig Gen Daniel Rivière, who leads the Operation Nanook-Nunalivut task force, stated that Trump’s remarks had “zero effect” on the collaboration between Canadian forces and their international partners.

“They still fly, and they still probe” in the region, Rivière said, adding that joint exercises between Russia and China on international waters have also increased.

This year’s operation, spanning mid-February to early April, included observers from Greenland and invited participants from the US and UK to monitor progress from a command center in Edmonton. French and Belgian troops joined in ice-diving missions with the Canadian military. Rivière emphasized the mission’s goal: preparing Canada for “the worst case scenario.” He noted that Russia remains a dominant force in the Arctic, with multiple permanent military bases, while Canada has none.

Climate change reshapes the terrain

Climate shifts have dramatically altered the Arctic’s landscape, creating both opportunities and dangers. Lt Col Travis Hanes, a Canadian Ranger on the 52-day patrol, described firsthand the unpredictable nature of the weather. “Rivers that are normally completely frozen have overflowed where they hadn’t historically,” he told the BBC, leading to unstable ice formations that complicate travel.

Conversely, this winter saw unusually cold conditions, opening new waterways that had previously remained unfrozen. Hanes highlighted the dual challenge of adapting to these changes, which demand greater flexibility and expertise. The Canadian Rangers’ indigenous Inuit members play a critical role, leveraging their deep knowledge of the terrain to identify safe routes and ensure survival. “We would’ve failed without them,” Hanes said, underscoring their value as “irreplaceable boots on the ground.”