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Inuit leaders call on Ottawa to match Greenland on Arctic infrastructure
A delegation of Inuit leaders who visited Nuuk returned with a clear message: Canada’s Arctic infrastructure lags behind Greenland’s and the federal government must act to close the gap. Delegates urged investment in services that strengthen daily life in Inuit Nunangat, not only in defence projects.
Who and what
Speakers included Paul Irngaut, president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), and Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). They compared Nuuk’s modern deepwater port and hydroelectric systems with the diesel dependence and limited port capacity of most Canadian Arctic communities. The delegation pressed for federal backing for an Inuit-led university and for funding that prioritizes housing, education and renewable energy.
Where and why it matters
The comparisons focused on infrastructure that affects everyday life and national presence in the Arctic. Delegates said Greenland’s greater use of hydropower reduces costs and environmental impact, and that Nuuk’s port can handle cargo year-round in ways most Canadian Arctic ports cannot. They argued community-focused investment can demonstrate Canada’s sovereignty as effectively as military spending.
Education, language and the push for an inuit-led university
ITK has selected Arviat, Nunavut, as the proposed main campus for an Inuit Nunangat University. Leaders described the institution as a transformational project that would allow students to pursue higher education within their homeland and help preserve Inuit languages and cultures. They contrasted Kalaallisut use in Greenland’s post‑secondary instruction with the limited use of Inuktitut as a primary language of instruction in Canada.
Legislation and funding hurdles
Leaders said the university needs two federal commitments: clear multi-year funding and legislation allowing it to operate across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, northern Quebec and Labrador. Ottawa has not yet provided definitive assurances, delegates said. Young people from Arviat recounted the emotional and practical toll of leaving home to study far away.
Community voices and lived experience
Voices from Arviat put policy debates into human terms. Teenagers described the hardship of long-distance study and the desire to learn in a place where culture and language are central. A 19-year-old from Arviat said a local university would open doors without forcing students to leave for years. His sister, studying away from home, said the move has been difficult and that she plans to return as a potential student or staff member when the university opens.
Broader priorities beyond defence
While acknowledging Ottawa’s heightened focus on Arctic security, Inuit leaders warned against an exclusive emphasis on military infrastructure. They urged a balanced approach that builds ports, energy systems, housing and post-secondary institutions to support communities and national interests. Natan Obed said Ottawa’s Arctic strategy should prioritise the functioning and sustainability of Inuit communities alongside defence projects.
A sensory frame on responsibility
The palate never lies, and that lesson from a kitchen applies to policymaking, too. As a former chef I learned that resilience starts with reliable ingredients and a stable supply chain. Behind every community there’s history, culture and practical needs that shape how sovereignty is lived each day. Investing in renewable power, modern port capacity, culturally grounded education and housing is, delegates said, an assertion of presence that serves people first.
Inuit leaders returned from Greenland seeking concrete federal action to reduce diesel dependence, expand port capacity, enable an Inuit-led university and improve housing. They framed those investments as measures that would strengthen Canada’s Arctic presence while centring Inuit well-being.