DND holds Arctic over-the-horizon info sessions

The Department of National Defence (DND) has scheduled two public engagement sessions to answer questions about the proposed construction of a radar installation in Clearview Township.

DND representatives will be at Creemore Station on the Green at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sept. 10 to provide details about the construction and seek input. Each session will include a presentation followed by a Q&A.

DND announced in July that a site at 2225 Sideroad 15/16 between Concessions 6 and 7 has been selected for an Arctic Over the Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) preliminary “receive” installation. A site in Kawartha Lakes will be developed as a “transmit” site, as part of a 20-year plan to modernize Canada’s contribution to the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) with total funding of $38.6 billion. The new early warning radar coverage promises to expand threat tracking of objects entering Canadian airspace.

The Clearview township site is 288 hectares (roughly 711 acres) of agricultural land. Initial work is expected to begin in winter 2026 with the radar network projected to be operational by the end of 2029. DND says the construction phase will generate short-term employment in ground works and site preparation. Ongoing control of the facility will be through normal NORAD processes. It is possible that some facilities management functions will be housed at Canadian Forces Base Borden.

According to the DND, the sites will have a radio frequency radiation hazard zone entirely contained within the site and be fenced to prevent access. The information sessions will be live streamed at canada.ca/ en/department-national-defence. A detailed summary and key takeaways from the engagement sessions will be posted following the event.

Online responses are welcome until Sept. 15.