Connecting the Canadian Arctic through infrastructure and Indigenous knowledge
July 26, 2024
Projects in the Far North transform access and boost the economy
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Imagine living in a remote Arctic community where your connection to the outside world is a single road—if one even exists. And a winter road at that. That is often life in Northern Canada.
Living and working in northern Canada is unique. The vast, rugged landscape and untouched wilderness create a beautiful setting for daily life. We are lucky to witness the northern lights dancing across the night sky. The remote communities are close-knit, with the location providing a keen sense of support. Working here often involves engaging with local traditions and learning from the Indigenous way of life, which values respect for the land and community cooperation.
Northern Canada offers a rewarding lifestyle filled with natural beauty, cultural heritage, and connection. But transportation is a challenge. Winter roads—often the main roadway in Canada’s Arctic—provide access to the land and food. They are part of Indigenous identity. These winter roads are vital for transporting fuel, construction materials, and other goods that are too expensive to transport by air. However, climate change is reducing the amount of time these roads can be open. If the temperatures rise over -5°C (23°F), passage becomes a nightmare. If it rains, or warm temperatures persist, the roads can fail quickly.
Inuksuk are figures made of piled stones constructed and used throughout the Arctic. Traditionally constructed by the Inuit, inuksuk are integral to Inuit culture and are representations of Northern Canada.
Researchers say the winter road season is growing shorter. More than half of Canada’s winter roads will become unviable by the 2050s; all winter roads will be unusable by the 2080s, according to the Canadian Climate Institute.
Moreover, it is expensive to build and maintain infrastructure in Canada’s Arctic. The lack of basic infrastructure in Nunavut for example, like railroads and all-weather roads, means materials must be shipped by sea or air. On average, other provinces and territories have 200 times more roads than Nunavut. And in Nunavut only 2 percent of the roads are paved, all within municipal areas, compared to the national average of 40 percent for a region.
What does this mean for the future of the Inuit and northern communities? How do they flourish if winter roads are not viable? How do we engage communities to help envision future year-round roads and infrastructure? How do we build resilient infrastructure in ways that we haven’t before?
Let’s dig into the answers.
Partnerships and innovation
We can look at two projects that are underway as case studies: Kivalliq Inter-Community Road (KICR) and the Grays Bay Road and Port (GBRP) project. These projects will link the Canadian Arctic. And they will provide road access from southern Canada and bringing economic benefits to northern communities. We are building once-in-a-lifetime infrastructure. It’s thrilling to work on projects that will connect remote communities without relying on winter roads, sealift, or flights. These projects will bring economic benefits to the Canadian Arctic and make essential goods and resources more easily accessible.
Our partnerships with K’alo-Stantec Limited and Nunami Stantec Limited have helped us integrate Indigenous values into the projects. Indigenous leaders from the North are part of the decision-making process. As we work on these crucial projects, involving local and Indigenous communities is a top priority.
These partnerships stress collaboration and learning from the knowledge of the Dene, Métis, and Inuit communities. It enriches our projects. GBRP is on a route influenced by Inuit Elders and community leaders. It is built across Inuit-owned lands.
The GBRP route is a 230-kilometre all-season road and deep seaport. It will link Nunavut to Canada’s mainland via the Northwest Territories. The first phase of the GBRP vital corridor will connect a deep-water port in the center of the Northwest Passage to Contwoyto Lake—the northern end of the Tibbit to Contwoyto winter road. Future phases will provide year-round road access from southern Canada to the Coronation Gulf. Pending a positive decision on the environmental assessment, the plans call for a start of construction of the Grays Bay Road and Port in 2030; full operations are set to begin in 2035.
For all projects, it is important to balance economics with environmental protection. This is especially true in the North. Understanding and addressing the impacts of our projects guide our decisions. The project’s success hinges on working closely with local communities, confirming that development is respectful and beneficial to those who call the Arctic home. In addition to partnerships, we are using the latest technology to design these projects. We are using technology to cost-effectively identify climate risks and collect informative data.
Our teams use remote sensing and 3D imaging to help reduce field programs and improve safety for environmental assessments such as wildlife counting and surveying. This leads to more informed decision-making during the planning and design phases. The GBRP project shows what is achievable through innovation and a strong commitment to the people and landscapes of the Canadian Arctic.
Completing the Northern Trade Corridor for supplies and industry
Research shows that the rate of food insecurity in northern First Nations is eight times the national average. Fresh produce like apples, tomatoes, and bananas are, on average, between 120 to 175 percent more expensive in winter-road communities. Meat products are from 46 to 77 percent costlier. Residents often rely on the winter road season to travel south and stock up on an annual supply of basic needs. These include a long list of items, from cleaning supplies and groceries to larger purchases like vehicles, fishing equipment, and appliances.
At the core, these projects symbolize progress. They will unlock Canada’s abundant wealth of critical minerals.
A new study, Levelling the Playing Field, reveals the cost to explore and build new mines is as much as 2.5 times higher in northern Canada, largely because of a lack of critical infrastructure. This creates major obstacles to exploring and operating in Canada’s remote and northern regions. More than just infrastructure, these key roadways aim to forge a significant northern trade corridor, strengthening both Indigenous and Canadian sovereignty. At the core, these projects symbolize progress. They will unlock Canada’s abundant wealth of critical minerals. And it will pave the way for a more connected future for our most remote communities.
This ambitious project will improve the quality of life for residents and attract new industries and investments to the region. It should lower the cost of goods and increase tourism. By improving connectivity and access to resources, it aims to create sustainable economic growth while preserving the unique culture and environment of the Arctic.
Building the remote communities where we live and work
We are proud to have a strong presence in Canada’s north. Our team has experience leading large infrastructure projects with extreme weather conditions. We proudly led the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, which connects Canada from coast to coast. The project spanned three construction seasons and used winter construction techniques. Crews worked around the clock in complete darkness and -40°C (-40°F) temperatures.
We’ve been involved in key Canadian Arctic projects like the Iqaluit International Airport and the Dempster Fibre Line. They have improved connections and support for Arctic residents. This project created positive impacts by granting better access to programs and services, which are taken for granted across Canada.
The rugged and remote beauty of the Canadian Arctic coast. Cliffs stand tall against a cold, dark sea, with floating ice showcasing the untouched nature of the remote Northern communities.
Working on projects in the Canadian Arctic helps build strong relationships and brings industry professionals together. It feels like a small community. I [Arlen] grew up in a small prairie town where everyone knew everyone. Moving to the Arctic, with its vast distances between communities, I did not expect to find such close connections. However, as my career developed here, I realized that relationships across communities and territories were, in fact, significant. Being part of and collaborating with groups has been one of the most exciting parts of my career. It’s rewarding to see our projects bring positive impacts to otherwise isolated communities.
Nunavut faces sizable infrastructure challenges compared to other provinces and territories in Canada. Thus, constructing and maintaining infrastructure in Nunavut is more expensive. This has become even more challenging post-pandemic. The result? We are seeing delays or cancellations of projects to reallocate budgets to the most urgent needs. The gap between infrastructure and programs that Northerners need and what can be provided has widened. We are assisting our Northern clients with this gap by using advanced technology to identify climate risks and collect informative data more cost-effectively.
Projects like KICR and GBRP help connect remote communities and open new markets. They promise economic development and foster greater inclusion and collaboration with Indigenous partners. The North is a key player in the global economy, and we are proud to have a role in these critical projects.