Ottawa is committed to enhancing its presence in the Arctic, particularly with respect to the Northwest Passage, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay says.

He made the remarks during a visit to the Yukon on Monday where he attended a gathering of diplomats in Whitehorse.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay says more personnel will be required to protect the Northwest Passage.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

The government recognizes more personnel will be required to protect the Northwest Passage, MacKay told reporters.

"We've committed during the election to enhance our presence here — to enhance the necessary equipment, to keep that presence real," said MacKay.

"With the Northwest Passage on many people's minds, this is going to include more personnel.  Clearly how and when this occurs is part of the decision-making we are going through right now."

More aboriginal people are also going to be needed to help Canada protect its sovereignty in the Arctic, he said.

MacKay's visit to the Yukon capital coincided with news from the Defence Department that it's going to spend $2.9 billion on three new naval ships.

"We are demonstrating in actions, not just words, that we take enhanced military procurement seriously," said MacKay. "We cannot expect our men and women of the Armed Forces to be doing their important work in substandard equipment or in many cases equipment that is rusting out, that is ancient."