Canada plans to increase the number of troops patrolling the Arctic region and build new military bases in the same area, measures that would tone up its rule over the Northwest Passage.

The announcement was made by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who said a naval station will be constructed in Nanisivik, a former company town that has a port currently used as training base for the Coast Guard.

Since the mine in Nanisivik is closed, it can be turned into an deepwater port, a plan that would cost the Canadian government approximately 90 million dollars.

Buildings in Resolute Bay belonging to the government could have a new destination and become training facilities for military troops that will be increase to 5,000 and provided with new equipment.

“The first principle of Arctic sovereignty is use it or lose it. Today’s announcements tell the world that Canada has a real, growing, long-term presence in the Arctic,” the Canadian premier said.

Both sites are adjacent to the long-disputed Northwest Passage, which Canada claims is actually a part of its territorial waters, despite challenges from the United States and Russia.

Harper's so-called “Arctic sovereignty tour” comes one week after a Russian mini-submarine planted a flag on the Artic seabed, a symbolic move which reiterates Russia’s claims that the specified region is actually an extension of its mainland.

Canada tries to bolster its sovereignty in the region, controlling the circulation of foreign ships through the sea route (Northwest Passage), drawing criticism from Russia and neighbouring US who ignored Canada’s stance and ran ships through the passage several times.