Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port Project

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Project Update - March 2026

Shovel-Ready and
Inuit-Led

The time for the development of this project is now.

The Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port is an Inuit-led marine infrastructure project designed to address several converging national and regional priorities. Located at the eastern gateway to the Northwest Passage, the port addresses a long-standing gap in Canada’s Arctic infrastructure. It strengthens Inuit economic self-determination, improves marine safety, and supports Canada’s Arctic sovereignty in a rapidly changing circumpolar region.

The project is strongly supported by Inuit rightsholders and regional leadership, including the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and reflects years of community engagement and planning.

Since 2010, Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port has evolved through years of collaborative planning, environmental work, and community engagement, and with community support that must continue to be carefully maintained through communications, the project has received approval from the Nunavut Impact Review Board as of October 2025. Though there is support from community members, public engagement and consultation will be ongoing to maintain trust and lasting relations with the community. The Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port is shovel ready, positioned to break ground in June 2026.

Why this port matters for Canada

  • The Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port is designed to be a multi-use asset that meets the operational needs of the Department of National Defense and other federal agencies, while also serving local communities.

    It supports defense, security, surveillance, emergency response, scientific research, fisheries, tourism, and community resupply; ensuring public investment delivers maximum value.

  • The Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port provides Canada with a permanent, Inuit-owned maritime foothold at a strategic Arctic gateway, reducing reliance on foreign ports and enabling sustained, year-round operations in the eastern Arctic.

    At the same time, the port unlocks long-term economic opportunities for Qikiqtarjuaq and Nunavut, supporting the growth of local industries such as fisheries, tourism, and Arctic shipping, while creating lasting benefits for the community.

  • The Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port provides safe harbour and staging capacity for the Canadian Coast Guard, research, and emergency and environmental response vessels, improving safety and response times across the eastern Arctic.

  • By enabling fisheries refueling, crew changes, landings, marine services, and resupply within Canada, the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port keeps economic value, jobs, and revenue in Canada’s North.

  • The project demonstrates how Inuit-owned projects deliver infrastructure that serves both community priorities and national interests.