Rovajärvi, located just above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, is home to Western Europe's largest artillery practice range. In late May, young conscripts were seen completing their final weeks of training on artillery cannons, bundled in thick gloves and neck warmers due to the cold. Finnish conscript Iivari Luukari, who has trained for months on howitzers similar to those used in Ukraine, expressed a cautious optimism. "I think that it's good to prepare for the worst-case scenario, like what happened in Ukraine," he said. "But I'm hopeful that there won't be any wars coming to Finland."

This mindset reflects Finland's approach to national security, known as "comprehensive security." This concept emphasizes that every citizen, business, military member, and government official has a role in defending the country. During a recent visit to Finland, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand highlighted this approach as a key focus for ongoing bilateral cooperation.

The threat of conflict is a serious concern for Finland, especially given its history. The country shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia and has a population of 5.6 million. Janne Kuusela, a senior civil servant at Finland's Ministry of Defence, noted the importance of collective responsibility in defense. "If your citizens don't get this reality, and they are not willing to do their share — then you can pretty much forget about having comprehensive security and robust defence," he said.

Finland's military relies on a long-standing conscription system, requiring young men to serve when they turn 18. The country maintains a reserve of about 900,000 citizens. In addition to military readiness, comprehensive security includes ensuring that industries can continue operations during crises and that citizens are prepared with emergency supplies.

The historical context of Finland's security concerns is significant. The Winter War of 1939 saw Soviet Russia invade Finland, leading to a four-month conflict. Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Valtonen remarked on the importance of remembering this history. "Luckily, we were able to fend off the aggressor," she said, but added that Finland had to cede 10 percent of its territory as part of the peace treaty.

Valtonen emphasized the need for international adherence to the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of violence to change borders, especially in light of the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The potential for Russian aggression remains a concern. "During Putin's regime, Russia has developed into a very imperialist regime and country," Valtonen stated. "We have to take it very, very seriously, this threat that Russia is posing."

Sweden, which shares similar security concerns, has also shifted its defense strategy. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both Finland and Sweden abandoned decades of military non-alignment to join NATO. Under NATO's Article 5, both countries are now obligated to respond if any ally is attacked.

Sweden has implemented a "total defense" strategy, which includes a legal obligation for citizens aged 16 to 70 to serve during heightened alert or war. Sara Myrdal from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency explained that this could involve continuing essential services or participating in rescue training. Sweden reintroduced mandatory military service in 2017, with plans to increase the number of recruits in the coming years.

To prepare citizens, the Swedish government distributed a pamphlet titled "In case of crisis or war: Important information to all residents of Sweden" to 5.2 million households. The pamphlet provides guidance on emergency preparedness, including how to seek shelter during an air raid and assemble emergency kits. Myrdal noted that the response to this initiative has been overwhelmingly positive, with citizens expressing a sense of responsibility.

As Canada strengthens its defense ties with Finland and Sweden, there are valuable lessons to be learned from their comprehensive approaches to national security and citizen preparedness.