Canadian Inuit leaders call for northern infrastructure focus ahead of federal budget

Inuit leaders are calling on the federal government to make infrastructure in the territories a national priority, saying its key to building up remote communities and Canada’s northern security.

“Ports, clean water, fibre, roads; these are all lifelines for Inuit communities and the foundation of real Arctic Sovereignty,” Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) vice-president Paul Irngaut said in Ottawa this week on a national panel at the Pearson Centre.

In a statement on Friday, NTI said it and the Government of Nunavut had already indentified four major projects they described as “Inuit-led and shovel ready,” that would build up the eastern territory’s communities and serve Canada as a whole by increasing the national security footprint in the region.

• Qikiqtarjuaq Deep-Sea Port: the Arctic port would cut shipping costs, strengthen local fisheries, and give the Canadian Coast Guard a refueling stop along the Northwest Passage.
• Iqaluit Hydroelectric Project: would replace diesel power in Nunavut’s capital with clean energy, improve grid reliability for homes, schools, and emergency services.
• Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link: a power and broadband corridor that would connect Nunavut to Manitoba, bringing renewable electricity and high-speed internet to remote communities.
• Grays Bay Road and Port: A road-and-port project that would enable access to mineral deposits needed for Canada’s clean energy industries.

NTI said each project would have the knock-on effects of creating jobs for Inuit and facilitate Canada’s ability to more easily operate in the North.

“There is no Canadian sovereignty without Inuit security,” Irngaut said. “These four projects are foundational to a secure, sustainable Arctic, built in partnership with Inuit.”

The organization is asking the federal government to fund the projects under the Building Canada Plan, with provisions for Inuit ownership, paid apprenticeships, and long-term maintenance funding.

Timing ahead of national budget

The call comes as Ottawa prepares to release its national budget next week, which is expected to outline new federal infrastructure spending priorities.

NTI’s representatives say federal commitments made now could have long-term impacts on housing, training, and energy security across Nunavut.

“The cost of waiting is higher than the cost of building now,” Irngaut said. “By investing now, Canada will secure safer communities, stronger families and a more resilient Arctic for generations to come.”