Army needs northern seamstresses

Ed Picco, MLA for Iqaluit East MLA, thinks the Canadian Armed Forces need to be better equipped to work in the Arctic and should use northern designers and sewers to outfit them.

Last week, Picco told the legislature that the armed forces still come to the Arctic wearing uniforms and outfits designed for use in southern Canada. “Wearing army green in a winterscape is pretty laughable,” he said.

“The wind pants are heavy and not well suited to activities experienced out on the land. The gauntlet mitts and wool hats with balaclavas are also below par,” Picco said.

The lack of sufficient clothing underlines a general lack of preparedness for Arctic conditions, Picco said.

“I hope we see these changes with the new government in Ottawa in the coming months so that the equipment that is obsolete will be changed, so that when our armed forces come here to participate they are better equipped.”