The Arctic

[GR66]

Country-wives were an essential part of that HBC system in the early stages, not sure how well that concept would go over these days......

 

[daftandbarmy]

Part of the new Arctic strategy is the development of Northern Operational Support Hubs/Nodes (NOSH/NOSN).

Northern Operational Support Hubs enables the projection and sustainment of military forces in the Arctic

The defence of Canada and assertion of sovereignty are high priorities of the Government of Canada, and the Arctic and northern regions are seen as being vital to both.

www.canada.ca

Minister Blair announces First Northern Operational Support Hub locations - Canada.ca

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced Iqaluit, Inuvik, and Yellowknife as Northern Operational Support Hub locations.

www.canada.ca

I can't help but see echos of the old Hudson Bay Company network in this plan. The NOSH sites being analogous to the HBC Forts/Factories and the NOSN sites being similar to the Posts/Depots. It worked then so I can't see why it shouldn't work now.

For the Node sites I wonder if rather than rotational postings to these austere locations you might instead adapt an all volunteer system for those that might enjoy this type of opportunity. The old HBC posts sometimes were staffed with only 1-3 men who acted not only as traders but as liaisons with the local communities, a source of emergency shelter/supplies, etc. Personnel could fill a similar role, not only maintaining the pre-positioned equipment and supplies but coordination with the local Ranger Patrol and other Government agencies, provide facilities for fly-in services (e.g. vaccinations, etc.) and emergencies, SAR assistance, etc.

This was announced by Bungalow Bill Blair a year ago... that's like ancient history.

Are these still happening? I have no idea of course...

 

[ytz]

Are these still happening?

Yes. There's nothing big about them. Some runway extensions, hangars, storage sheds, etc.

 

[GR66]

This was announced by Bungalow Bill Blair a year ago... that's like ancient history.

Are these still happening? I have no idea of course...

Raised it again because the initiative was mentioned in the Defence Industrial Strategy that was just released

 

[Kirkhill]

Country-wives were an essential part of that HBC system in the early stages, not sure how well that concept would go over these days......

The whole character of the British Empire changed when the Honourable East India Company started taking their wives with them.

Fortunately there no wives were interested in going to the Arctic. The lads had to forage.