OTTAWA — Federal defence and foreign affairs officials say Canada has not experienced any Russian incursions into its airspace over the past year, even as Moscow has ramped up aerial provocations elsewhere in NATO territory.
Appearing before the House of Commons foreign affairs committee on Thursday, Eric Laporte, head of regional security and defence relations at Global Affairs Canada, said Russian drone and jet activity in Europe has surged. “Russian drone incursions are not new. They’ve been happening since 2022, but the pace and scope have increased recently,” he told MPs, describing the activity as a “cat and mouse game” that is both reckless and dangerous.
In recent weeks, Russia has flown drones into Polish and Romanian airspace and sent fighter jets through Estonian skies. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong called the uptick in activity “head spinning.”
Ty Curran, deputy director general of international security policy at the Department of National Defence, reassured MPs that Canada’s defences remain uncompromised. “We have not seen any incursions or penetration of our air defence space in the past year,” he said.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) intercepted Russian military aircraft off Alaska’s coast on Wednesday but confirmed the planes did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace. Norad emphasized such encounters are routine and not considered an immediate threat.
Meanwhile, NATO has responded to the European incursions by invoking Article 4 consultations and launching Operation Eastern Sentry to strengthen its air defences. Canada has not added forces to the mission but continues to support deterrence through its long-term troop presence in Latvia.
Alongside military measures, officials said Canada is exploring further sanctions, particularly targeting Russia’s oil and gas revenues. Laporte noted that as part of Canada’s G7 presidency, Ottawa is “looking at options to reduce Russia’s oil revenues,” acknowledging energy exports remain Moscow’s financial lifeline for its war in Ukraine.
The discussion also comes against a shifting backdrop in Washington, where U.S. President Donald Trump this week toughened his stance on Ukraine, pressing NATO allies to stop buying Russian oil and suggesting new tariffs on nations that continue to do so.
While Canada has so far avoided direct Russian pressure in its skies, officials warned MPs that vigilance remains essential, as NATO braces for the possibility of further escalation.