4 September, 2026
Canada’s Arctic is once again at the centre of strategic discussion. As geopolitical competition intensifies and northern activity increases, questions about how Canada can effectively defend its vast Arctic territory have become increasingly relevant.
In this article, LCol Greg Taylor (Ret'd) reflects on a series of Canadian Armed Forces exercises conducted during the 1980s that explored the practical challenges of Arctic defence during the Cold War. Drawing on his firsthand experience, he examines how those exercises shaped innovative thinking about mobility, logistics, joint operations, and the role of the Canadian Rangers—and considers what those lessons may offer for Canada’s defence planning today.
Originally published in Canadian Military History, this article provides both a historical account and a thoughtful contribution to the ongoing discussion about Canada’s northern security. Whether readers agree with all of its conclusions or not, it offers valuable insight into how past military planning can inform contemporary debates about Arctic sovereignty and defence.
Defending Canada’s Arctic: Time to Revisit Some Lessons Learned by Greg Tayloras originally published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2026