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Long-awaited small craft harbour in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, expected to open in 2030
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-06 20:53:15.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Fisheries, Indigenous]Nunavut MP Lori Idlout announced a $77-million federal investment for the construction of a small craft harbour in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, as part of a $106-million commitment made by the federal government in 2024. The construction contract has been awarded to Iqaluit-based Pilitak Enterprises Ltd., featuring an Inuit benefits plan to support local training and employment. The infrastructure will include a breakwater, launch ramp, fixed wharf, floating wharves, and dredged harbour basin and entrance channel to support commercial fishing, marine transportation, tourism, and hunters. Construction is slated to continue through 2029, with the harbour expected to become fully operational for the 2030 open water season.
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N.W.T. leaders press Ottawa for major projects investment
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-06 18:47:19.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Energy, Mining, Indigenous]The Northwest Territories Council of Leaders, led by Premier R.J. Simpson, Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, and N.W.T. Métis Nation President Garry Bailey, pressed federal ministers in Ottawa for major infrastructure investments as the territory faces the closure of major diamond mines like Ekati, Diavik, and Gahcho Kué. The delegation urged federal funding for Indigenous-led and co-managed projects, including the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, the 800-kilometre Mackenzie Valley Highway extension to Inuvik, the Taltson Hydro Expansion, and the Inuvialuit Energy Security Program. Territorial officials highlighted that historical underfunding and high operating costs leave local governments strained in delivering essential services across 33 communities while trying to pivot their economy.
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N.W.T. leaders press Ottawa for major projects investment
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-06 18:47:19.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Energy, Mining, Indigenous]Representing the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders, Premier R.J. Simpson, Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, N.W.T. Métis Nation President Garry Bailey, and other regional leaders met in Ottawa to demand federal investments in major northern infrastructure. The proposed initiatives include the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, the 800-kilometer Mackenzie Valley Highway extension to Inuvik, the Taltson Hydro Expansion, and the Inuvialuit Energy Security Program. These investments are framed as vital economic replacements following the closures of the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines in 2026, alongside the upcoming closure of the Gahcho Kué mine in 2028. Territorial officials emphasized that these projects must proceed through co-management and shared decision-making to address both economic transition and severe community challenges such as high living costs and housing shortages.
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Ontario and Webequie First Nation Award Contract for Webequie Supply Road
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Transportation
Date: 2026-09-29 18:15:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Transportation, Infrastructure, Mining, Resources, Indigenous]The Government of Ontario and Webequie First Nation have awarded Sigfusson Northern LTD the construction manager contract for the 107-kilometre all-season Webequie Supply Road, which aims to unlock access to the Ring of Fire five years ahead of schedule by November 2030. The project is part of a broader provincial plan to build over 500 kilometres of all-season roads leading to the Ring of Fire, which is projected to generate 70,000 jobs and add $22 billion to the provincial economy over 30 years. The initiative builds upon a Community Partnership Agreement signed last year between the province and Webequie First Nation to accelerate construction and support regional economic development.
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Nunavut pitches major infrastructure projects at Canada’s Investment Summit
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-16 17:29:31.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Energy, Transportation, Resources, Indigenous]Nunavut Premier John Main and Inuit leaders, including representatives from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, attended Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Canada Investment Summit in Toronto to pitch four major territorial infrastructure projects. The proposed projects include the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project, the Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep-Sea Port. Notably, the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project and the Grays Bay Road and Port have been designated as projects of national interest and placed on the federal government's Major Projects Office fast-track list. Territorial leaders emphasized the necessity of early Inuit involvement and regulatory compliance to address Nunavut's significant infrastructure gap in energy and transportation.
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N.W.T.’s ice road to 3 diamond mines unlikely to open for 2027 season
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-14 23:13:23.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Resources, Indigenous]The Northwest Territories' Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road is unlikely to open for the 2027 operating season for the first time since opening in 1982, due to the end of commercial production and financial restructuring at three major diamond mines: Rio Tinto-owned Diavik, Ekati (overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers under creditor protection), and De Beers' Gahcho Kué. Management committee director Howard Nowell stated that the closure decision provides early clarity for contractors, service providers, and support communities, though operations are expected to resume in 2028 to support ongoing site remediation and clean-up efforts. Marc Whitford, president of the North Slave Métis Alliance, noted the suspension will negatively impact Indigenous-owned corporations and contractors such as Det'on Cho Logistics, which rely on the winter infrastructure for seasonal employment and transport.
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N.W.T.’s ice road to 3 diamond mines unlikely to open for 2027 season
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-14 23:13:23.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Resources, Indigenous]The Northwest Territories’ Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road is unlikely to open for the 2027 operational season, marking the first closure since the ice road opened in 1982. Operated annually from February to March, the road services three diamond mines northeast of Yellowknife: the Rio Tinto-owned Diavik mine, the Ekati mine overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers under creditor protection, and De Beers' Gahcho Kué mine. The suspension is driven by the end of commercial production and active remediation at Diavik and Ekati, alongside financial difficulties at Gahcho Kué that accelerated its closure timeline to 2028. Indigenous corporations and contractors such as Det'on Cho Logistics, owned by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, face significant economic impacts from the loss of infrastructure maintenance and lodge operations, though winter road service is expected to tentatively return in 2028 to support ongoing cleanup efforts.
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Residents worry Tsiigehtchic is not prepared for impacts of Mackenzie Valley Highway
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-10 21:30:20.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment, Public Safety, Indigenous]Residents of Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, voiced concerns during Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board consultations regarding the $405-million federal investment to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway. The project scope includes an environmental assessment expansion covering the corridor connecting Norman Wells to the Dempster Highway in Inuvik. Residents worry the route bypasses their community of approximately 180 people while potentially increasing environmental degradation to land and water, and raising access to illicit substances without corresponding local emergency services, such as a dedicated RCMP officer or local nurses.
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Federal government invests $405M into N.W.T.’s Mackenzie Valley Highway bridges, design work
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-08 15:31:44.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Transportation, Indigenous, Defence]The federal government announced a $405 million investment into the Northwest Territories' Mackenzie Valley Highway to advance an all-season road connecting Wrigley to Inuvik. The funding will finance the construction of a bridge across the Great Bear River near Tulı́t'a, the second phase of the Prohibition Creek Access Road, and preliminary engineering and design for two additional bridges over the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers. Additionally, the funds will support finalizing the environmental assessment and design for the stretch of road between Wrigley and Norman Wells to reduce seasonal transportation reliance and strengthen northern security and regional supply chains.
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Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation Break Ground on Ring of Fire Road
Source: Ontario - Premier's Office
Date: 2026-08-31 15:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Resources, Indigenous]Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Marten Falls First Nation Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, and provincial ministers celebrated the groundbreaking for the 184-kilometre Marten Falls Community Access Road, marking the start of construction five years ahead of schedule. The project, which includes 35 bridges and culverts and is scheduled to open by November 2031, represents the longest segment of the proposed 514-kilometre Ring of Fire all-season road network. The overall initiative aims to connect Marten Falls First Nation to the provincial highway network while unlocking critical mineral deposits projected to add $22 billion to Ontario's economy and create 70,000 jobs.
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Ontario and Aroland First Nation Break Ground on Ring of Fire Road
Source: Ontario - Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation
Date: 2026-08-24 21:15:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Energy, Indigenous]The Government of Ontario and Aroland First Nation commenced major reconstruction and expansion work on the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads as of June 30, 2026, two years ahead of schedule, with completion slated for November 2030. The $22 billion economic initiative upgrades 97 kilometres of roadway, replaces 62 culverts, and bridges Highway 643 to the proposed Ring of Fire all-season roads corridor (including the Webequie Supply Road, Marten Falls Community Access Road, and Northern Road Link). This infrastructure project builds on the Shared Prosperity Agreement signed by Ontario and Aroland First Nation in January 2025 to support critical mineral development and regional connectivity.
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