A new project aims to make Canada’s Far North a li’l more accessible.
Driving the news: After years of delays, a proposed deepwater port and road development in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut has filed for environmental assessment with regulatory authorities. It would create the first road linking the central Arctic coast to Southern Canada.
- The project filed for an assessment in 2018, but the development stalled. A new proponent took over responsibilities last year and got the ball rolling again.
- If approved, construction on the project likely won’t begin until 2030.
Why it matters: Canada’s Arctic is rich in highly coveted critical minerals and rare earth metals, but much of the area remains unmined due to the lack of infrastructure and transport. This new development would open up more of the region's copper, zinc, gold, and silver deposits.
- Earlier this year, the federal government gave Nunavut autonomy over its natural resources, a move intended to spur exploration and development.
Zoom out: The port could also be home to a new naval facility near the Northwest Passage, an attractive feature given the military’s push to boost its Arctic defence capabilities.—QH