Overview

• Mearns will serve as Canada’s senior Arctic official in the diplomatic corps, representing the country in multilateral forums
• Her role is a key element of the $35 million Arctic foreign policy unveiled in December 2024
• The strategy calls for opening consulates in Alaska and Greenland to bolster scientific collaboration and security coordination
• Ottawa’s move follows concerns raised by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami about respecting local realities as Canada expands its military presence
• The appointment coincides with a $6 billion over-the-horizon radar upgrade with Australia under the NORAD framework