The federal Conservatives have taken the wraps off a portion of their plan for defence — specifically defending the Far North.

"One hundred per cent of the cost of the base will come from the foreign aid budget," he said. "In fact, today's announcement will actually reduce the deficit because I plan to cut foreign aid more than the full cost of the announcement that I've made today,

The head of Canada's official opposition party, on track to win an election in the coming months, said on Monday he would slash foreign aid to help build a base in the Arctic and boost regional security.