Canada's Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization discussed Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and how climate change impacts defence and security.
During a stop Friday in Cold lake Alberta, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Secretary General Yens Stoltenberg held a meeting to advance shared priorities.
Trudeau said they talked about Canada's plan to modernize continental defence, including a $38.6 billion investment over the next 20 years to bolster North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) capabilities.
"That's what our detection and deterrence missions with NATO and our steadfast commitment to NORAD are all about. Standing on watch, and on guard to protect peace and democracy," said Trudeau.
Stoltenberg welcomed Canada's commitment.
"It is really important because of the new threats with new weapons systems, more advanced weapons on the Russian side, then we need a more advanced and modernized NORAD, and I welcome the announcement by Canada to invest to modernize NORAD," he continued.
Trudeau added that Canada will continue to work with NATO and its Allies to fight climate change, improve Arctic defence and security, support Ukraine, and reinforce the rules-based international system.
The two leaders also visited the Canadian High Arctic Research Station to witness the work being done to study the impacts of climate change on permafrost, weather, and the ecosystem and understand their consequences.
The Prime Minister and the Secretary General met with Cambridge Bay residents, community leaders, and Indigenous Elders, to hear first-hand about how a warming climate is changing Canada's Arctic and to discuss the key role Northerners play in Arctic security.
"Keeping people safe is our top priority. From helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia's brutal invasion, to taking ambitious climate action, Canada and NATO are working closely together to advance our shared priorities. Together, we will build a safer, more peaceful, world for everyone," added Trudeau.
This was Secretary General Stoltenberg's first official visit to Canada's Arctic. The Secretary General last visited Canada in July 2019.