For communities in Canada’s Arctic, having a reliable marine sealift service and timely shipping are important for the re-supply of food and important goods for the region. Due to the remoteness of Northern communities, shipping and sealift can be challenging. As such, the Government of Canada through the Oceans Protection Plan is making Arctic re-supply operations faster, safer, and more efficient for this area. 

Since the launch of the Oceans Protection Plan in November 2016, over 50 initiatives have been announced in marine safety, research, and ecosystem protection across Canada. Marking its fourth anniversary, Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau announced funding of $64.9M towards 15 projects that will improve sealift and re-supply services in the North. 

“Thanks to the Oceans Protection Plan, Canada’s marine safety system is stronger, and our coastal ecosystems better protected than ever before,” said Minister Garneau. “These investments in northern marine infrastructure associated with re-supply will improve northern communities’ access to food and goods, and have a lasting impact on Canada’s marine transportation system in the Arctic.”  

These projects include:

Nunavut

  • Building a new warehouse facility to organize and store cargo containers in Iqaluit
  • Improving sealift areas in nine communities 
  • Replacing pipelines for fuel re-supply in 12 communities to increase petroleum transfer 
  • Relocating equipment which transfers petroleum products further from the shore in nine communities 
  • Installing two 70 tonne mooring bollards, used to anchor vessel, for sealift operations for Kugluktuk
  • Procuring equipment to improve communication and documentation related to fuel re-supply operations

Northwest Territories

  • Replacing a pipeline used to transfer petroleum from barges to Tulita and upgrading the equipment for petroleum storage 
  • Repairing moorings used to secure barges at the shore for sealift operations in three communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region 
  • Repairing the Norman Wells dock by replacing components, repairing bollards, and removing excess gravel on the dock surface

Nunavik

  • Upgrading equipment for petroleum product transfer in 13 communities 
  • Installing bollards in three communities to improve the security of vessels during re-supply operations 
  • Upgrading pipelines and relocating equipment to improve re-supply efficiency in three communities 
  • Upgrading pipelines in three communities 
  • Installing equipment to increase the flow of petroleum in two communities

Nunatsiavut

  • Building new structures to promote safe freight storage in three communities

The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made by Canada to protect its coasts and waterways. Through this plan, Canada is looking to create a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities today, while protecting our coasts and waterways for generations to come. This work is being done in close collaboration with Inuit and Indigenous peoples, local stakeholders, and Northern communities. 

“By making these investments in upgrading and repairing equipment, facilities, and technology, we can better support communities in the North and Arctic maintain and improve access to essential food and goods. For four years, the Oceans Protection Plan has supported the resilience of Arctic and Northern communities and the sustainable growth of the Northern economy through investments which contribute to secure and reliable marine re-supply,” said Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs.