Canada’s North has long represented both opportunity and obligation—a vast expanse that is strategically vital, environmentally fragile, and increasingly central to global security dynamics. As melting sea ice opens new waterways and foreign interest in the region intensifies, the Government of Canada is moving decisively to enhance its ability to operate, respond, and sustain military capabilities across the Arctic.
At the heart of this renewed posture is the Northern Operational Support Hubs (NOSH) Program, a generational infrastructure enterprise designed to give the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) the ability to project and sustain forces where vast geography, limited infrastructure, and extreme climate have historically made operations difficult.
“These sites will be either purpose-built or may utilize repurposed infrastructure where available.” said Mr. Jean-Marc Doucet, NOSH Program Director. “Where feasible, NOSH sites will also be able to support other federal departments and agencies operating in the region, as well as territorial, provincial, and municipal governments as part of a whole-of-government approach to ensuring a safe, secure, and well-defended Arctic and northern Canada.”
A Multi-Billion-Dollar Backbone for Arctic Operations
The scale of the undertaking is unprecedented. Estimated at $2.67 billion and projected to unfold over 10 to 20 years, the NOSH Program will create a network of interlinked operational support facilities spanning Canada’s northern regions. Once it reaches full operational capability, this system will include:
- Principal NOSH sites serving as core operational hubs
- Secondary Northern Operational Support Nodes (NOSNs)—some permanent, others relocatable
- Transportation spokes connecting these remote locations
Together, they will form a strategic web enabling enhanced CAF presence, quicker response times, and more robust sustainment of deployed forces.
“Categorization of each site as either a NOSH or NOSN will be based upon the inherent operational support capacity, the capabilities and capacity of key enabling civilian infrastructure in proximity to each site, and the potential availability of commercial support and service solutions,” said LCol Rob Thompson, NOSH Sustainment Plans Officer.
Forward Bases Built for Harsh Realities
Every NOSN site, whether fixed or mobile, is being designed to serve as a forward operating base capable of sustaining a sub-unit-sized Joint Task Force or detached military element for a minimum of 30 days. That level of operational independence is crucial in remote regions where supply chains are stretched, weather is unpredictable, and distances are measured in hundreds of kilometres.
It is, in every sense, an investment in sovereignty—one that strengthens Canada’s ability not only to monitor and defend its northern approaches but to work seamlessly with partners across NORAD, NATO, and other international alliances.
Co-Designing the Arctic Future with Northern Partners
Before shovels hit the ground, the NOSH team is prioritizing something just as critical as infrastructure: partnership. Active engagement is now under way with Indigenous governments and communities, northern municipalities, territorial authorities, and federal departments with deep experience in the region.
These discussions are shaping where shared objectives align with CAF operational needs—ensuring that the siting of hubs and support nodes is grounded in both strategic value and community collaboration.
Beginning in fall/winter 2025, this process will expand into site visits, environmental assessments, and regulatory reviews—all essential steps in determining where infrastructure should be constructed or where existing facilities can be repurposed. Additional sites will follow as military requirements continue to be defined.
Defending Canada—From Emergencies to Arctic Sovereignty
As Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson underscores, the mission goes beyond traditional defence: DND/CAF plays a critical role in whole-of-society emergency preparedness, helping safeguard Canadians during natural disasters, major emergencies, and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
With NOSH, the CAF will be able to respond faster, stay longer, and support more sustained operations in Canada’s northern and Arctic regions—whether the task is continental defence, joint operations, humanitarian response, or strategic deterrence.
Dual-Use Infrastructure with Lasting Community Impact
While operational readiness is the core driver, the hubs are being designed with dual-use benefits front-of-mind. The investments made through NOSH could strengthen critical community infrastructure that is essential for both military operations and northern residents, including:
- Airports and seaports
- Medical and emergency response capacity
- Alternative and resilient energy systems
Rather than isolated military outposts, NOSH facilities are envisioned as assets that deliver enduring value to the communities hosting them—building capacity, resilience, and opportunity across the North.
“DND/CAF has a role to play in whole-of-society emergency preparedness while delivering on our core mission to defend Canada, including the Arctic and northern regions in partnership with NORAD, NATO, and other international allies and assisting in the safety of Canadian citizens through the provision of support during domestic disasters or major emergencies, and through the conduct of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations,” said LCol Thompson.
A Foundation for the Next Century of Arctic Security
When completed, NOSH will represent the most comprehensive and purpose-built operational support backbone the CAF has ever established in the Arctic. It will enable the military to operate with confidence in one of the world’s most challenging theatres—projecting Canadian sovereignty, strengthening continental defence, and ensuring that Canada remains ready to respond to both emerging threats and the evolving needs of northern communities.
The Arctic is changing. With NOSH, Canada is preparing not just to adapt—but to lead.