The military will establish a permanent army reserve in Canada's North as part of Ottawa's effort to protect Arctic sovereignty, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Friday.

Although MacKay released few details during an announcement at a military trade show in Halifax, he said the unit would be established in Yellowknife.

The complement would likely consist of 100 soldiers over time, depending upon need, MacKay said.

He added the unit could be used to augment other proposed initiatives in neighbouring Nunavut, including a deepwater port at the former Nanisivik mine site and a military training centre in Resolute.

"This reserve unit covers an enormous amount of land mass and they will also work closely with the Canadian Arctic Rangers," said MacKay.

The Rangers are a largely aboriginal group of reservists considered the military's eyes and ears in the North. They are primarily used for sovereignty patrols and are known for their ability to operate in harsh Arctic conditions.

Arctic expert wary of pre-election promises

The announcement came in advance of an expected election campaign in which the Arctic is likely to be an important issue in the Conservative platform.

And it follows last week's Arctic tour by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, during which he announced that all foreign vessels travelling in Canada's disputed northern waters would have to register with the coast guard.

It's against that backdrop that the newest initiative has to be measured, according to Rob Huebert, associate director for the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary.

"I'm always very suspicious of announcements made in an election or an immediate pre-election, particularly when it comes to the North," said Huebert.

"Having said that, this government has actually taken important steps on the Arctic, so perhaps this will be in fact different."

Huebert points out that if nothing else, the symbolism is important for Canada's territories, which have gone without the traditional military reserve units that operate in all 10 provinces.

He said if a unit is established, it will give the military an important link to the community at large and provide northerners with the opportunity to serve at home.

"I think it's also an important signal to the international community that we are continuing to get more and more serious about what we do in the Arctic," Huebert said.

Forces struggling in 'war for talent'

But the good intentions could be derailed by recruiting problems that have hit the military because of retirements and poaching by the private sector.

The problem is so acute it prompted Rick Hillier, the former chief of defence staff, to remark in May that the Canadian Forces is in a domestic "war for talent."

MacKay also announced that one of Canada's oldest reserve units would be returned to active duty for the first time since being stood down in 1965.

The Halifax Rifles will begin recruiting up to 100 members and will likely be used in a reconnaissance or light infantry role.

But filling out the unit will be a challenge, admitted Brig.-Gen. Dave Neasmith, area commander for Land Forces Atlantic.

"Both industry here as well as the Canadian Forces and all the other units are going to be competing for the same quality folks ... and that's why it's going to take a little time to actually stand up the unit," said Neasmith.

MacKay admitted the challenge in Canada's northern regions would likely be complicated by a sparse population spread over vast, rugged geography.

He said that might mean bolstering the Yellowknife unit by a rotation of soldiers from other parts of Canada.