Feds fund more marine infrastructure for Nunavut

Resupply and refuelling operations are about to get easier—and hopefully safer—in five Nunavut communities.

Two 70-tonne mooring bollards are to be installed on shores near Arviat, Gjoa Haven, Pangnirtung, Sanikiluaq and Taloyoak, thanks to new funding announced on Dec. 7 by Transport Canada.

A mooring bollard is large, sturdy and usually metal post used by ships and barges to tie up to shore.

“Fuel in Nunavut is delivered by tanker and is discharged through floating hoses to fixed manifolds connected to the community’s tank farm,” said a news release. “To safely undertake this type of operation, it is imperative to have multiple secure mooring points, including shoreline bollards.”

The bollards will cost $2,545,200—money that comes from the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, which promises $94.3 million to fund safety equipment and basic marine infrastructure in northern communities.

“Funding under the Oceans Protection Plan for the community scoping study will allow us to identify critical marine infrastructure needs in our communities and will guide future investments,” said David Akeeagok, Nunavut’s minister of transportation, in the release.

“The commitment to fund construction of mooring bollards for resupply ships will ensure refuelling operations are conducted to high standards of safety.”

The investment reflects how northerners get most of their fuel and commercial goods through marine resupply, said federal transport minister Marc Garneau.

“The Government of Canada is protecting the health of our Arctic coast and water, and enhancing the safety and security of these resupply operations,” he said.

In the same announcement, Transport Canada also committed another $2,185,000 for community-based infrastructure studies in Nunavut.

“This study will directly inform the practical implementation of essential marine infrastructure projects across Nunavut,” Transport Canada said.