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The Canadian Coast Guard will commit two icebreakers to the Great Lakes this winter — and will make the Detroit River a high priority.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Griffon and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley will be deployed this season after they were refitted at Les Mechins, in Quebec, and at Parry Sound, respectively. Last year, this duo travelled more than 27,000 kilometres through the icy waters.

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Stacy Dufour, a member of the coast guard for the Central and Arctic Region, said Wednesday this area is a top concern for icebreakers.

“The ice flows from the north to the south (St-Clair River towards Lake St. Clair and then to the Detroit River) and this is why ice breaking service on the Detroit River is important to keep the ice in movement,” said Dufour.

Photo by DAN JANISSE / Windsor Star

The Canadian Coast Guard works with the United States Coast Guard to keep waterways open from the far west side of Lake Superior to the St. Lawrence River.