Long-promised Nanisivik Naval Facility’s opening date still unknown
Docking and refuelling hub in the High Arctic is a decade behind schedule
The long-promised Nanisivik Naval Facility, 20 kilometres from Arctic Bay, no longer has an estimated completion date. (Photo courtesy of Department of National Defence)
After multiple delays over the past decade, the opening date for the $114.6-million Nanisivik Naval Facility near Arctic Bay remains unknown.
The project was first announced in 2007 by then-prime minister Stephen Harper as a way to “significantly strengthen Canada’s sovereignty over the Arctic.”
For about one month per year, the facility will operate as a docking and refuelling hub for government vessels in the Arctic.
The plan was originally to start operations in 2015, but construction delays moved that target to 2018. Then it was expected to open in 2025, according to the auditor general’s report on Arctic Waters Surveillance from 2023.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper, left, and Gordon O’Connor, the then-minister of national defence, visit the site of what will become the Nanisivik Naval Facility on Aug. 10, 2007. (File photo)
Now, the project doesn’t have an estimated completion date.
The Department of National Defence is “finalizing the work plan for the site,” said Kened Sadiku, spokesperson for the department, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
He said the delay in Nanisivik’s operations hasn’t impacted the Royal Canadian Navy’s capability in the Arctic as there are “other options available to fuel [navy] vessels and the Arctic and offshore patrol vessels have excellent range and endurance.”
The Nanisivik facility is to be built on the site of the now-demolished mining town of Nanisivik, 20 kilometres from Arctic Bay.
The Department of National Defence has spent $107.6 million to develop the facility so far, with the final cost expected to reach $114.6 million, Sadiku said.
In addition to the deepwater port, Nanisivik will include a jetty, or small pier, where boats can be moored; fuel storage tanks for ships and helicopters; a site office; a wharf operator’s shelter; a storage building; and a helicopter landing pad.
Construction was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and bad weather conditions that in 2021 washed out the main road connecting the facility to Arctic Bay, Sadiku said.
The latest delay coincides with Canada’s renewed interest in the Arctic for defence and sovereignty.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announces his Arctic sovereignty strategy Feb. 10 at the Iqaluit airport. (File photo by Arty Sarkisian)
During a Feb. 10 news conference in Iqaluit, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre cited Nanisivik as part of his party’s long-time Arctic defence plan.
He also promised to build a permanent military base in Iqaluit that would be completed within two years if he becomes prime minister.
In Iqaluit, Poilievre didn’t respond when asked whether he thought the proposed Iqaluit base could face similar troubles as Nanisivik.
The federal Liberal government released its new Arctic foreign policy in December that included increased spending to protect northern sovereignty. And in April 2024, it released its $81-billion Arctic defence policy that declared protecting Arctic sovereignty to be the “most urgent and important task.”
Under those policies, commitments over the next 20 years include $1.4 billion for specialized maritime sensors and $218 million for northern operational support hubs consisting of airstrips, logistics facilities and equipment stockpiles.
The National Defence department will have more updates on those policies and on the status of Nanisivik “in due course,” Sadiku said.
Is there any truth to the rumour that fuel will only be available during summer months? And that the fuel will be shipped south during winter, so it doesn’t freeze?
Facts!
If Liberals were not busy exporting billions to Ukraine, Canada would have high arctic naval base three years ago. I wonder how hierarchy of world leaders do money laundering works? So many world leaders are becoming so rich…..on my TV and TikTok News….World Leaders are enemies on paper/TV News but $$$ flowing is a niche market to Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Dictators? Share and share alike amongst buddies?
I agree. Anything Trudeau has promised is smoke and mirrors time to get rid of the Liberals
The idea of a naval refueling base at Nanisivik is the dumbest idea ever. Open for one month a year (as the article says)? Ridiculous. Nanisivik is two left turns from the Northwest Passage, which is what out military should be protecting. Equally dumb is Pierre Poilievre’s announcement to build a military base in Iqaluit. Nunavut was not created on the premise that Iqaluit should suck up everything. Build it in Resolute – on the Northwest Passage. Or at the end of the proposed Gray’s Bay Road to the proposed Gray’s Bay Port – also on the Northwest Passage.
Baffinland is already operating a deep water port with refuelling capabilities not too far away. There are staff and fuel at the port year round. The government should just link onto this and set up some infrastructure along with the company rather than put over $100 million in investment somewhere else for 1 month per year. Once Baffinland has a port on the south side of the island too and a road and rail connecting the two, that will be even better for the military.
Or, let the strategy and military experts decide where it should be built. If Iqaluit is the best location, so be it. If the middle of nowhere is the best, so be it again.
Anyone’s perceptions of why Canada created Nunavut are not at all meaningful. The military and strategic priorities are.
The unfortunate part is that the military somehow felt like spending $115 million taxpayer dollars to put a facility that they can use for 1 month per year was good strategy. It has also not met the timelines and expectations for opening as per the article. I think if you are going to put trust in military to make the decisions and implement plans, then you need to also trust that they will follow through and can explain their strategy.
That’s what I’m saying. Let them put it where it best serves the military’s needs. The current location is the product of political interference.