Canada says Russia and China are ramping up spy efforts in its Arctic region

"It is not a surprise that CSIS has observed both cyber and non-cyber intelligence collection efforts targeting both governments and the private sector in the region, he said on Thursday. Canada has increasingly flagged the navigable routes that pass through the country's borders and the troves of critical minerals in the region as reason to increase investment in the north. In addition to new heavy ice breakers, Canada is weighing the purchase of a dozen patrol submarines."

"In his speech, Rogers also said CSIS agents foiled attempts by Russia to illegally acquire Canadian goods and technologies for use in its war against Ukraine. This year, CSIS took action to prevent this by informing several Canadian companies that Europe-based front companies seeking to acquire their goods were in fact connected to Russian agents, he said, adding that the companies took immediate measures to deny the Russians."

Canada's domestic spy agency notes Russia and China have significant intelligence interest in the Arctic and are conducting cyber and non-cyber collection against government and private-sector targets. Canada is increasing northern investments because of navigable routes and critical mineral deposits, including new heavy icebreakers, consideration of a dozen patrol submarines, and a C$1bn Arctic infrastructure fund for airports, seaports and all-season roads. CSIS prevented Russian attempts to illegally acquire Canadian goods and technologies for use in Ukraine’s war by alerting companies to Europe-based front companies linked to Russian agents. Chinese operatives attempted to recruit Canadians with information and military expertise. CSIS also foiled potentially lethal Iranian threats against dissidents.

Read at www.theguardian.com