MASS 2026 to focus on Arctic, High North Challenges Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. Edward Lundquist , Contributor Edward Lundquist is a retired naval officer who writes on naval, maritime... May 26, 2026 Clearance Divers from Fleet Diving Unit Pacific and port inspection divers from the Royal Canadian Navy conduct mine countermeasure missions on the ocean floor during Exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2022. Image courtesy Canadian Armed Forces photo by Master Sailor Dan Bard Canadian Forces Combat Camera. Copyright All rights reserved by RCN / MR Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel HMCS William Hall (AOPV 433) arrives in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, during Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT 2025. Canada’s Navy and Coast Guard have vast areas to patrol in the challenging Arctic and high north environment. Image courtesy Royal Canadian Navy; Copyright All rights reserved by RCN / MR MASS and Littoral OpTech conferences converge in Atlantic Canada The 13th annual Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS), hosted by the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association (ACADA), and presented by Saab Canada, Inc., will be held June 14-16 at the Convention Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. ACADA represents Atlantic Canada’s aerospace and defence industry and promotes the region as a globally recognized hub of aerospace and defence excellence. “MASS brings together industry innovators, government and military leaders, with strong representation from northern leaders” said Victoria Belbin, ACADA President and CEO .  “This ensures northern perspectives, priorities and expertise are front and center. Together, these leaders explore emerging threats and the cutting edge solutions being developed in response.” While there are other maritime security conferences, Belbin said MASS is unique.  “We don’t see our event as competing with other defense and security conferences,” she said.  “We are focusing our examination on the unique challenges and opportunities