Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has been selected by West Kitikmeot Resources Ltd. (WKR) to continue advancing engineering and environmental consulting services for the Grays Bay Road and Port Project in Nunavut, Canada. This Arctic infrastructure project is designed to provide direct access to the Northwest Passage, bringing significant economic benefits to the region.
To support the project, WKR has signed memorandums of understanding with the Government of Nunavut and the Canadian Infrastructure Bank, securing additional financial backing. Since 2016, Stantec’s Inuit-owned partnership, Nunami Stantec Limited, has played a key role in the project. This partnership, formed between the Kitikmeot Corporation, Sakku Investments Corporation, and Stantec, offers environmental science and engineering consulting services across Nunavut.
Once completed, the Grays Bay Road and Port Project will create a nationally significant northern trade corridor. It will strengthen Inuit and Canadian sovereignty, unlock critical mineral resources, and drive economic growth in the North. The project will connect a deepwater port in the Northwest Passage to Contwoyto Lake via an all-season road, linking it with the Tibbit-to-Contwoyto Winter Road. This will provide road access from southern Canada to the Coronation Gulf, significantly reducing costs for businesses and enabling access to critical minerals previously out of reach.
Stantec is also working with the Government of the Northwest Territories on the southern portion of the road, which will fully connect the Kitikmeot region and the Northwest Passage to southern Canada. Arlen Foster, Principal and Infrastructure Practice Lead for Northern Canada at Stantec, noted that this connection will strengthen the supply chain, enhance access to critical minerals, and reinforce Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. The project will stimulate economic development, empower local communities, and support Indigenous businesses, fostering long-term prosperity.
The Kitikmeot region in western Nunavut is a remote area home to several Inuit communities, where natural resource extraction, particularly mining, plays a crucial role in the local economy. The region is also rich in historical and cultural significance for the Inuit people, with traditional practices deeply woven into community life.
Angie Bates, Vice President and Sector Leader for Infrastructure and Environmental Services (Canada) at Stantec, highlighted the importance of the memorandum of understanding between WKR and the Government of Nunavut, calling it a major milestone for advancing the project. This agreement underscores the critical need for improved infrastructure in the North, promoting economic growth and enhancing access to essential resources for local communities.
Stantec’s experience with large infrastructure projects in extreme and remote conditions, such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway, Slave Geological Province Corridor, and the Iqaluit Airport, positions it well for success. The company has previously completed the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH), connecting Tuktoyaktuk with southern Canada and fulfilling the national dream of linking every coast in the country.
