The Canadian Coast Guard ship Louis S. St. Laurent breaks ice near the mouth of Bellot Strait in the Northwest Passage in Nunavut. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

Canada should take a greater interest in its stewardship of the Arctic and move ahead with measures to strengthen its ability to exercise security and control over the region, a Commons committee says.

The Standing Committee on National Defence made 17 recommendations Thursday aimed at improving security in the Arctic, as well as involving aboriginal people and all government levels in the development of future Arctic policies.

The report urged the government to expedite construction of a polar icebreaker — the John G. Diefenbaker — announced in 2008, as well as the procurement of several Arctic offshore patrol ships.

At the same time, it expressed concern that while the icebreaker is needed to replace the Louis S. St. Laurent when it's retired, "at present the status of the project is not entirely clear." It recommended the government move to ensure delivery within 15 years.

The report said "there also seems to be some uncertainty" about the status of three joint support ships, capable of travelling in ice up to a metre thick, to replace aging naval vessels.

The ships originally were to be delivered between 2012 and 2016, but the process seems to be in limbo since August 2008 when all bids received exceeded the amount budgeted, the committee noted.

It also said there is still no prime contractor for the offshore patrol ships.

The report said all foreign vessels entering Canada's Arctic waters should be required to report to the Arctic Canada Traffic System (NORDREG), regardless of size or tonnage.

The committee said as Arctic sea routes become more accessible, there will be an increase in commercial, tourist and private traffic. It noted that witnesses had testified the region might also be used by those seeking asylum and drug smugglers.

Other recommendations in the report include:

• Creating a cabinet committee on Arctic affairs, consisting of relevant ministers and chaired by the prime minister.
• Re-establishing the office of Arctic Ambassador.
• Giving priority to resolving the dispute over the Beaufort Sea with the United States.
• Providing proper infrastructure, such as shore facilities, mapping and mandatory ice-experienced pilots, to ensure safe passage of vessels through Arctic waters.
• Ensuring that the Inuit be included in scientific research projects pertaining to the environment.
• Doing more to recognize the historic contribution of aboriginal people to Arctic sovereignty and acting on a priority basis to ensure the development and long-term maintenance of viable indigenous communities.