Canada is strong when we recognize Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of this land, who remind us of the deep roots from which we grow and underscore the values to which we aspire. And this is one of the many reasons why my first official trip as Prime Minister is here in the Inuit Nunangat.

Canada is strong when we build constructive nation-to-nation partnerships, and it’s strong when we work with Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities across the North and across the country. And that’s why Canada’s new government is taking action to protect the North, affirm our sovereignty, but to also develop our potential by investing over $250 million in reliable electricity and new affordable housing.

We’re taking action to develop the potential of the North by investing more than $250 million in reliable electricity and plentiful and affordable housing.

This includes building and repairing over 570 homes, ensuring communities have access to safe and dependable power today, building renewable energy security for tomorrow, and in the process, creating more good, high-paying jobs across Nunavut.

But as we take action to build a better future together, we must invest in Canada’s North to defend our sovereignty. Arctic sovereignty is a strategic priority of our government. Recently, Minister Blair announced over $2.67 billion in investment in military facilities, including one here in Iqaluit.

Recently, Minister Blair announced $2.67 billion in investment in military facilities, including one here in Iqaluit, because Northerners and all Canadians expect us to keep them safe. Arctic security is a strategic priority of our government.

And today, I’m announcing that our government will be working with our long-standing defense and security partner, Australia, to build a long-range over-the-horizon military radar system. This is an investment of more than $6 billion in the most advanced and efficient radar system. The over-the-horizon radar system will enable Canada to detect and respond to both air and maritime threats over our Arctic faster and from further away. It will most fundamentally keep all Canadians safe.

We are strengthening the presence of the Canadian Armed Forces to detect, to defend and deter-… and to defend the Arctic and our sovereignty. We’re committing nearly $420 million to protect that sovereignty with forces across land, air and sea, with greater sustained and year-round presence here in the Arctic.

The world is changing, our adversaries are increasingly emboldened. International institutions and norms that have kept Canada secure are now being called into question, and the United States’ priorities, our ally – or United States priorities, once closely aligned with our own, are beginning to shift. Our government recognizes that while Canada must be strong in our partnerships, particularly NORAD, and today’s announcements will strengthen our commitment to NORAD. While that is true, we cannot and should not look first to others to defend our nation. Today’s announcement helps accomplish both those objectives. We are masters of our own house.

We are masters of our own house, we control our own destiny.

The announcements today will strengthen Arctic security, they’ll bolster our partnerships with our closest allies, they’ll build the North’s economic potential and advance reconciliation with the Inuit, with First Nations and Métis.

Canada is and will forever be an Arctic nation. As the Premier just said, this is the true North, strong and free; and Canada is strong, united and sovereign. Thank you.