Contributed photo: Rachel Brooks (left) speaks with Lisa Kell at the Tea and History: Women in Farming event on June 21 presented by Valerie Smith of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in partnership with Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society.
The Government of Canada has entered into formal arrangements with Australia and its industry partner, BAE Systems Australia, to acquire an Over- the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) capability in support of Canada’s Arctic program.
A receive site is planned for Clearview Township, resulting in a local grassroots campaign to save the farmland designated for the installation.
On June 22, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) Stephen Fuhr signed a government-to-government acquisition arrangement with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, during an official ceremony in Canberra.
The A-OTHR program aims to “deliver a modern, long-range surveillance capability designed to detect and track airborne and maritime threats approaching Canada’s northern and Arctic regions and significantly enhance Canada’s domain awareness and enable earlier decision-making in the defence of Canadian and North American airspace.”
BAE Systems Australia is scheduled to begin work on July 1, supporting Canada’s commitment to achieving initial operational capability by December 2029. Canada is committed to spending $2.5 billion with Australia to procure this capability.
Rachel Brooks, co-chair of Clearview ROAR (Resident Owners Against Radar), said the announcement was a bit of a gut punch, but she was reminded that the wheels were put in motion in 2022 when Canada first announced major investments in NORAD modernization.
“We will carry on with our campaign because we still firmly believe that an installation of this size and magnitude on the edge of the Minesing Wetlands, and anything that would monopolize our prime farmland doesn’t make sense, and that other options need to be examined in a much more transparent way by the Department of National Defence,” said Brooks.
ROAR has been out in the community spreading the word about the Clearview receive site, popping up in the grocery store parking lot, and planned appearances at farmers’ markets.
The Department of National Defence has already purchased about 711 acres of prime agricultural land in Clearview Township for a proposed Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) Preliminary Receive Site. Neighbours became aware of the project when they received offers to purchase properties in old Sunnidale Township.
Brooks said she feels their message is getting through to political representatives but doesn’t feel the Department of National Defence has been responsive to their concerns.
“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of transparency in the whole process which I think is the most discouraging part of it,” she said.
Brooks said the experience has inspired her to run for Clearview council in the upcoming municipal election.
She has filed to run in Ward 5, where there is now a three-way race.
“I feel that I can help my community by being a voice for them and their concerns,” said Brooks, adding that she can add a unique perspective as a female farmer, and mother of three, who is highly invested in the community.
“I’ve been able to make some pretty solid connections with people who have been able to show me the ropes,” said Brooks of her first foray into politics. “I also feel I am a strong communicator and I take the time to listen and communicate respectfully with everybody in the room.”
ROAR’s petition – e-7444 (National defence and military operations) – filed by co-chair Terri Jackman is open until Sept. 25 at ourcommons.ca. It is nearing 600 signatures and will be presented to parliament by MP Terry Dowdall.
