September 28, 2026 | Rankin Inlet, Nunavut | Transport Canada
Northern and Arctic communities, including Indigenous communities, rely on safe and reliable transportation infrastructure to support daily life, economic activity, and access to essential goods and services. As climate change puts increasing pressure on northern transportation systems, investments in all-season infrastructure are helping communities stay connected, while strengthening supply chains and supporting Canada’s security and sovereignty in the Arctic.
Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, celebrated the grand opening of the Rankin Inlet air terminal building and announced federal funding of $85.5 million through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to support the Rankin Inlet Airfield Rehabilitation Project.
This investment builds on a previously announced investment from National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) which funded the Rankin Inlet air terminal building. It will help the full rehabilitation of the airport’s runaway which will enhance the reliability and safety of air transportation in the Kivalliq region. As a critical gateway for northern communities, the airport plays an essential role in moving passengers, cargo, and vital supplies and services, including food and medical equipment.
The AIF funding complements the Department of National Defence’s investment to rehabilitate the runway, reaffirmed by Prime Minister Carney earlier this year. Together, these improvements will strengthen the airport’s capacity to support growing transportation needs while enhancing the Canadian Armed Force’s operational capabilities in Canada’s North.
The project will reinforce Rankin Inlet Airport’s role as a key regional logistics hub, supporting community connectivity, emergency and medevac services, and supply chains across Nunavut. It will also strengthen the dual use infrastructure that serves both civilian and defence purposes, contributing to the long-term resilience of northern transportation networks and supporting Canada’s security and sovereignty objectives.
Funding announced today will support:
Enhancement of the safety, reliability, and capacity of the airport’s runway, taxiways, and apron systems, which serve the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut;
Rehabilitation of approximately 141,000 square metres of airfield pavement, including Runway 13 31, Taxiways A and C, and associated apron surfaces;
Ensure on-going safe and reliable operations, extend the airfield’s service life by 15 to 20 years, and reduce long term maintenance needs.
Through the AIF, the Government of Canada is making targeted investments in dual-use, civilian/community and defence, and nation-building infrastructure that strengthen northern transportation corridors, improve supply chain reliability, increase economic opportunities, and support Canada's long-term presence and operational readiness in the Arctic and the North.
Quotes
“Investing in the Rankin Inlet Airport is an investment in Canada’s North, our Arctic sovereignty, and the communities that depend on reliable transportation every day. Through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, we are strengthening critical infrastructure that serves both civilian and defence purposes, helping ensure northern transportation networks remain safe, resilient, and dependable well into the future.”
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
“For people in Rankin Inlet and across the Kivalliq, the airport is more than infrastructure. It connects families and communities and helps people access the food, supplies, services and opportunities they rely on. By investing in safe and reliable transportation in the North, we are strengthening communities and creating new opportunities, while also strengthening Canada's presence and sovereignty in the Arctic. A strong Arctic starts with strong communities and the people who call the North home.”
The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand
Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Quick facts
Introduced in Budget 2025, the $1 billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund will strengthen reliable year-round transportation connectivity for Northern and Arctic communities in Canada.
The Arctic Infrastructure Fund supports dual-use, civilian/community and defence, transportation infrastructure that serves civilian, community, and defence needs in Arctic and Northern regions in Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to engaging Indigenous groups and upholding its duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate, consistent with section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Investments announced today build upon previous investments made at the Rankin Inlet Airport:
New terminal building supported by nearly $63.5 million through the NTCF
Originally built by NORAD, the Rankin Inlet runway can accommodate CF 188 Hornet jets and large transport aircraft which is essential to its role as a future Northern Operational Support Node that will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to project and sustain forces into more remote Arctic areas.
Noah Note: The Arctic Infrastructure Fund is one of several, as they say, funds currently in pkay for Arctic Infrastructure. In total, over forty billion has been set aside for funding Arctic Infrastructure, and that is solely through dedicated Arctic funding.
NORAD Northern Basing Infrastructure is by fsr the largest, supporting imporing our North presence and upgrade work in Inuvik, Yellowknife, Iqaluit and Goose Bay. That covers airfield work (runways, aprons, de-icing), hangars of all sizes, fuel and munitions storage, accommodations and dining, power grid upgrades, IM/IT infrastructure, and dual-use infrastructure. Next on the list of dedicated programs is funding to support the expansion and establishment of the Northern Operational Support Hubs/Nodes system.
But there is more pit there besides the commonly known two. AirNAS will replace existingnavigation aids and expand their footprint across the Arctic. We have dedicated funding for new Arctic Infrastructure tied to DAME, including new maintenance and storage facilities in Resolute Bay, CROSSBOW is providing new autonomous, containerized sensor systems for deployment in the Arctic (which I don't know if im allowed to say what), and we are in the early stages of discussing what the future of the NWS looks like.
There is more out there, obviously, but I find often we dont appreciate the scale of Arctic investment. There is, of course, always a debate on whether that spending is going to the right set of infrastructure and capabilities though that is needed.
Part of that is a tendency to misconstrue the threat enviornment from various actors in the Canadian ecosystem, both the the primary threats present in the Arctic and to the current reality on the ground. There is also, of course, the continued back amd forth among many on the viability of the Norths economic engine, both in relation to things like Churchill, the NWP, etc.
I am not here right now to go into that is depth. We have done many times before, but not here. This is one of those cases where I think the Investment is nice, especially from the aspect of supporting local communities. I have no reason to complain.