In Iqaluit, Nunavut, Prime Minister Carney announced key measures to reinforce Canada’s security and sovereignty in the Arctic and grow a stronger economy across the North.
Security and defence
Project: Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar
Partner: Australia
Funding: $6 billion
The Government of Canada intends to deepen its partnership with the Government of Australia through the development of Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR) technology, which will be critical to strengthening Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) domain awareness in Canada’s Northern approaches. Collaboration on OTHR technology will help advance the rapid establishment of Canada’s planned Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, to be based in Southern Ontario. As a key component of Canada’s NORAD modernization plan, A-OTHR will provide advanced early warning and long-range surveillance, enabling faster CAF detection and tracking of a wide range of threats in our Northern air and maritime approaches, while strengthening NORAD domain awareness in the defence of Canada and North America. Crucially, Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy will apply to the A-OTHR project. Australian industry partners will work with Canadian companies to build expertise and capacity in Canada, grow our domestic defence industry, support high-paying Canadian jobs, and help Canada scale up its own radar system. Canada intends to work with the Government of Australia to further develop OTHR technology to our mutual advantage and will work closely with the United States to ensure the interoperability of domain awareness solutions for the defence of North America.
Project: Greater Sustained CAF Presence in the North
Funding: $420 million
To maintain and exert Canada’s sovereignty over its Northern territories, the CAF is planning to expand its Northern and Arctic operations. This expansion anticipates including more CAF personnel and the potential for increased inclusion of forces from Allied nations with an Arctic interest. New activities aim to support a near year-round military presence through exercises and training to assert Canada’s presence and sovereignty as well as refine information-sharing processes. Enabling increased Northern and Arctic operations will allow the CAF to better detect, deter, and defend against threats to Canada and North America.
Support to Indigenous and Northern communities
Project: Powerplant Upgrades and Replacements in Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Igloolik, and Iqaluit
Partner: Qulliq Energy Corporation
Funding: $94 million
Under the Arctic Energy Fund, this funding will support the replacement of aging diesel power plants in Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Igloolik, as well as the installation of a new diesel generator in Iqaluit. These upgrades aim to enhance energy efficiency, operational reliability, and environmental performance, ensuring that Nunavut communities have access to safe and dependable power.
Project: Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (Nunavut Agreement)
Partner: Government of Nunavut
Funding: $73.85 million over 10 years
Through this 10-year agreement, communities across Nunavut will be able to build or improve the critical infrastructure related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste – in order to support more homes. This long-term predictable funding will accelerate housing development, increase densification, and help meet the growing demand for affordable housing.
Project: Housing Initiatives in Nunavut
Partners: Nunavut Housing Corporation, Indigenous Services Canada, Uquutaq
Funding: $65.2 million over seven years
This funding aims to build approximately 177 new affordable homes and renovate, repair, and renew approximately 401 existing homes in municipalities and regions across Nunavut, such as Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, Hall Beach, Iqaluit, Naujaat, Kugaaruk, Pond Inlet, and Rankin Inlet. Notably, projects include the construction of multiplexes and a first-of-its-kind multi-service, multi-program facility in Iqaluit focusing on underserved and under-represented populations.
Project: Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Project
Partner: Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation
Funding: $20 million
Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Project is a proposed hydroelectricity facility that has the potential to replace 100 per cent of Iqaluit’s diesel-generated electricity with clean hydro power. The project is being developed by Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation (NNC) – Nunavut’s first wholly Inuit-owned clean energy developer. The funding will help NNC complete the development phase of the project and take it to a near shovel-ready state. Hydro power will provide energy security and energy redundancy for the city, support economic development opportunities, and strengthen community well-being and resilience.