On December 2, the Minister of National Defense and Yukon Premier signed a letter of intent for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to establish a Naval Reserve presence in Canada’s north. With the support of the Government of Yukon, the RCN intends to send members to Whitehorse, Yukon, in the summer of 2025 to further explore viability and develop options for a Naval Reserve footprint in the territory.
This effort is part of a broader plan to restructure the Naval Reserve with a focus on attracting, recruiting, and training personnel to strengthen the RCN’s operational readiness. The presence of the Naval Reserve in Whitehorse enables these efforts while contributing to the local community by promoting leadership and practical maritime skills through Navy training.
With strong support from the Yukon government, this initiative provides the RCN access to a suitable workspace and additional resources to begin this exploratory phase. This collaboration underscores the commitment to establish a greater Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) presence in the North and marks a significant step in expanding the Navy’s footprint in the territories. A secure and prepared Arctic enables the CAF to respond effectively at home and deploy forces abroad when needed, without compromising national security.