Great White Nothing: How Harper’s naval station became an Arctic white elephant – National

Canada’s Arctic Sovereignty: A Promise Unfulfilled

Eighteen years ago, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper stood on the shores of Esquimalt Harbour, B.C., and issued a rallying cry for Canadians. He announced plans for a fleet of Arctic offshore patrol ships (AOPS) and a deep-sea port in the Arctic to assert Canada’s sovereignty over the region. "We either use it or lose it," he declared. Today, his vision remains largely unfulfilled. The Nanisivik Naval Facility, a key component of Harper’s Arctic strategy, is still unfinished—more than a decade past its original completion date. The project, initially estimated at $100 million, has ballooned to over $114 million and is now mired in delays, cost overruns, and structural issues. Once intended as a state-of-the-art refueling station for Canada’s Arctic fleet, it now functions as a part-time, summer-only maritime gas station, a symbol of Canada’s struggle to secure its northern frontier.

The Nanisivik Naval Facility: A Project in Limbo

The Nanisivik Naval Facility was meant to be a cornerstone of Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, providing critical infrastructure for the Royal Canadian Navy and other government vessels operating in the region. But from the start, the project faced significant challenges. Located on Baffin Island, the site was not the most strategic location, being 100 km south of the Northwest Passage. Additionally, it was criticized for its lack of community benefits, as it is situated 35 km from the nearest community at Arctic Bay. Engineering issues arose early on, with the wharf sinking in 2010, and the project was repeatedly delayed due to supply chain problems, budget overruns, and the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2023, the auditor-general reported that the facility would provide "little value" to Canada’s Arctic surveillance.

In 2024, the situation took a turn for the worse when the construction company, Almiq Contracting, went into receivership, leaving the Department of National Defence (DND) scrambling to find a new contractor. A worker on the project, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that structural issues with the wharf could render the facility unusable within a few years. DND has refused to comment on these allegations, and the project’s future remains uncertain. The Nanisivik Naval Facility has become a "white elephant," a testament to the challenges of building a military presence in the Arctic.

The Strategic Importance of the Arctic

The Arctic is increasingly becoming a focal point of global geopolitics. As the ice melts, the region’s waterways, including the contested Northwest Passage, are opening up to new shipping routes and resource extraction opportunities. The Northwest Passage, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, has the potential to revolutionize global trade by reducing shipping times by thousands of kilometers. However, its legal and political status remains disputed. Foreign powers, such as Russia and China, are taking note of the Arctic’s strategic significance. Russia has reopened Soviet-era military bases and modernized its naval fleet, while China has increased its presence in the region.

The number of vessels traveling through the Arctic has also increased significantly. Data from the Canadian Coast Guard shows that full transits of the Northwest Passage have risen by 50% since 2012, and the number of vessels reporting to the Iqaluit Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre has increased by 45%. Steve Bannon, former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, has referred to the Arctic as the "Great Game of the 21st century," highlighting its growing importance in global strategy. For Canada, the region is not just a matter of sovereignty but also a critical component of national security.

A Legacy of Broken Promises in the Arctic

Canada’s history of asserting sovereignty over the Arctic is marked by grand announcements and unfulfilled promises. In 1988, former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney famously told U.S. President Ronald Reagan, "That’s ours. We own it, lock, stock and icebergs," during a dispute over the status of the Northwest Passage. However, successive governments have struggled to translate rhetoric into action. The Nanisivik Naval Facility is just one example of a project that has failed to deliver on its promises.

The project was originally intended to house an office, accommodation and workshop buildings, a jet-capable runway, and a year-round staff. However, the scope was significantly reduced due to budget overruns and political opposition. The final plans included only minor wharf improvements, an unheated warehouse, and a smaller tank farm capable of storing only one year’s supply of fuel. The facility now operates for just a few weeks in the summer, leaving Canada’s Arctic fleet without a reliable refueling station. The failure of the Nanisivik project has raised questions about the government’s commitment to Arctic sovereignty and its ability to protect the region from external threats.

Local Anxieties and the Need for Action

For residents of Canada’s northern provinces, the delays and setbacks surrounding the Nanisivik Naval Facility have created a sense of unease. Many communities in Nunavut have raised concerns about Arctic sovereignty and security, with Nunavut MP Lori Idlout emphasizing the need for greater investment in the region. "People in the Arctic are truly worried," she said. The federal government has recently unveiled a series of Arctic-focused initiatives, including a dedicated Arctic foreign policy, an Arctic ambassador, and new Canadian consulates in Alaska and Greenland.

However, these announcements have been met with skepticism. The government’s track record in delivering on its promises in the Arctic has been inconsistent, and many in the region remain unconvinced that the latest pledges will be fulfilled. Defence Minister Bill Blair has acknowledged the challenges posed by the Nanisivik project, stating that it was "well-intended" but failed to account for the complexities of building in the North. He has promised a "better way" forward, but the lack of concrete details in the government’s plans has left many wondering if the rhetoric will translate into action.

The Path Forward: Collaboration and Political Will

The failure of the Nanisivik Naval Facility underscores the need for a new approach to Arctic sovereignty. Experts and local leaders argue that the government must prioritize collaboration with Inuit communities and the regional government of Nunavut. Defence Minister Bill Blair has pointed to the extension of the Inuvik runway as a successful example of such a partnership, but even this project has faced delays and budget overruns.

The federal government’s recent announcement of $2.67 billion for three Arctic operational support hubs in Iqaluit, Yellowknife, and Inuvik has been welcomed, but questions remain about the project’s timeline and scope. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also pledged to establish a permanent military base in Iqaluit if elected, but his plan lacks detailed cost estimates and timelines. Arctic security expert Rob Huebert has criticized these announcements as "pure political theatre," arguing that they lack a strategic vision and are driven more by political expediency than a genuine commitment to Arctic sovereignty.

Ultimately, the challenge of securing Canada’s Arctic sovereignty requires more than just funding and infrastructure—it demands political will, collaboration with local communities, and a long-term vision. As the region becomes increasingly contested by foreign powers, the stakes for Canada could not be higher. The government must move beyond rhetoric and deliver on its promises to ensure that the Arctic remains a source of strength, not a vulnerability, for generations to come.