Unidentified objects flying over North ‘incredibly concerning,’ Nunavut MP says
Object shot down in Yukon Saturday following NORAD operation is 1 of 4 recent incidents
A Canadian fighter jet is seen here in this 2018 file photo. Over the weekend, NORAD jets shot down an unidentified object over Yukon and another near Lake Huron. (File photo by Sarah Rogers)
Updated Monday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.
Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has expressed concern about unidentified objects flying into northern airspace after NORAD shot down an object over Yukon on Saturday.
The operation was a historic first for the Canada-U.S. military alliance, and one of four incidents since Feb. 4 involving the interception of unidentified flying objects over the U.S. and Canada.
The U.S. military shot down a large balloon thought to be of Chinese origin Feb. 4 over South Carolina. On Feb. 10, officials announced the U.S. military had shot down an unidentified object over Alaska.
Fighter jets scrambled over Yukon Saturday, and on Sunday yet another object was shot down near Lake Huron, over Michigan.
National Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the NORAD operation over Yukon in a statement Saturday.
“The object was flying at an altitude of approximately 40,000 feet, had unlawfully entered Canadian airspace, and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight,” she said.
Idlout thanked NORAD and allies for keeping people safe, and pushed for the Canadian government to keep people informed.
“It is incredibly concerning to have unidentified objects in northern Canada’s airspace,” she said in an emailed statement Monday.
“Northerners and Canadians deserve to know about any security, economic or other threats this object posed.”
A recovery effort is underway between Dawson City, Yukon and the nearby community of Mayo, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Monday in Whitehorse. Those two communities are located in central Yukon, approximately 182 kilometres from each other.
The Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and FBI are all involved in the search.
“This is a very serious situation that we are taking very seriously,” Trudeau said.
“This is an ongoing effort that will continue as necessary to be able to recover and analyze this object.”
Leaders from the Government of Nunavut have been briefed by officials from Yukon and Canada’s Department of National Defence.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok said “Nunavut supports the Yukon and is relieved there was no risk to public safety.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and will keep Nunavummiut informed as details become available.”
At this point, there are no immediate threats to Nunavummiut, said Jimi Onalik, the GN’s deputy minister of executive and intergovernmental affairs.
In an emailed statement, he said, “This highlights the need for northerners to be fully involved in the discussion about Arctic Security and we look forward to further discussions between the three northern territories and the Government of Canada.”
Military exercises happening in Nunavut in coming weeks
Nunavut’s Department of Economic Development and Transportation announced Monday a series of ground and air military exercises are set to take place in the coming weeks.
Exercises are planned in Rankin Inlet and Resolute Bay, but people in other communities may notice an elevated military presence.
“The military exercises scheduled to take place in Nunavut were planned months in advance and are unrelated to any recent events involving unidentified objects in North American airspace. This includes the situation in Yukon,” said GN spokesperson Weichien Chan.
Note: This article was updated to include comments from Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and GN spokesperson Weichien Chan.
“This highlights the need for northerners to be fully involved in the discussion about Arctic Security and we look forward to further discussions between the three northern territories and the Government of Canada.”
It does no such thing, Jimi.
It does, however, highlight how empty and void of content the game of make believe you play around national security issues is.
Elevated miltary presence?guess ww3 have started already
Linked in that all were airborne, that is about it, a conditioning slow and steady push for more conflict, you can bet the farm on it.
This is a comment speaking of things floating about, it is redacted/not allowed on tour public broadcasting service, spooky.
I guess , war with china comming . Time to buy shares in some company , which is part of the industrial military complex
Do you think it was ALIENS!?
Mayhap it was “Balloon Boy” from a few years back.?
Maybe the land guardians can do something about this????
With the right training and equipment, anyone can do it, blam blam blam, better to leave it to NORAD they have all that stuff already.
A quick google suggests your average bullet only goes about 10,000 feet if shit straight up. The balloons are around 30-50,000 ft
maybe you can lead the way, put your neck out there.
No, this is somethings for the Air Guardians to deal with.
.
This land belonged to the Ravens long before Humans started walking on the Earth and it will belong to the Ravens long after the last Human is gone.
Ravens don’t fly to 40,000 ft sorry
We’re virulent. Humans will exist on Earth in various stages of self destruction until the expanding sun scours the planet’s surface.
Can Lori get in contact with the Land Guardians again and protect us?!?!!
The sour is strong on this one.
Alas, more nonsense (aka nonscience) from your masters – the fear-mongering doesn’t stop. Cold war, climate fantasy, covidmania, CUFOs.
What’s next to align weak minds? Martian invaders?
In a matter of minutes a fighter jet can go north and protect it it’s so amazing I ourselves witnessed the jets passing by very fast and very loud
I was going to comment on this one yesterday but I wanted to wait and see how tinfoil hatty this got.
You all did not disappoint.
There was already a balloon over iqaluit last summer. More to come
what would actually be concerning would be the arrival of the russian icebreaker Yamal in frobisher bay. Or the chinese winter brigades trained for harsh climate combat. get your level of concerns figured out before you blurt off.
As I said, these objects real or fiction and the amount of press given them is a slow steady conditioning of the public for more expenditure, billions for the companies that profit from war – greed above humanity. A few hawks in the centre of power Victoria Nuland, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden, and Antony Blinkin are obsessed with destroying Russia. Diplomacy, finding a way to bring the totally needless death and destruction to an end is with them not on the table and will not be on the table. Rallies against endless wars are coming soon. If ever there was a time for us to be heard it is now. Canadians too need to get involved, protest and be activists for peace.
Many inuiy needs to be monitored. They should be looked after.
What if the balloons were attempting to deliver water or a form of travel to Apex for those who cannot get taxis? See the glass half full…