Connecting Canada’s North: Insights on the Arctic Economic & Security Corridor

The proposed Arctic Economic & Security Corridor is being considered for fast-tracking by Canada’s federal government. It would include a deep-water port at Grays Bay, Nunavut, capable of handling navy vessels and cargo ships transporting materials from future critical mineral mines in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. A 230-kilometre all-season road would connect the port, offering potential economic, community, and strategic benefits for northern Canada. The article explores perspectives from industry professionals, community leaders, and residents, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of the project.

Our team has supported the early planning and environmental assessment work. Arlen Foster, operations lead for the Territories, discusses the engineering challenges of building on permafrost and remote terrain, and stresses the importance of collaborating with northern partners. He adds that federal attention on the corridor could also drive improvements to essential community infrastructure, benefiting northern communities in the long term.