Question Period Note: Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link

Our Government is committed to moving forward with investments that will see Indigenous communities transition from diesel to clean, renewable and reliable sources of energy.
The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project represents an important step forward in providing renewable, reliable and affordable energy and high-speed Internet to Kivalliq communities and could open up economic opportunities for the region.
We continue to support the Kivalliq Inuit Association in advancing this important project.

Federal funding for the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project feasibility study is underway. The total project feasibility study cost is $2.4 million with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency providing $1.6 million.

The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link involves the construction of a new 900 km overhead hydroelectric transmission line between Manitoba and Nunavut that would serve five Kivalliq region communities and mining operations in this mineral rich region. The Kivalliq Region lies to the west of Hudson’s Bay and the population of the five communities is approximately 7,500 people, with Rankin Inlet and Arviat being the largest communities. Agnico Eagle gold mining operations would serve as the anchor client in the region.

The project would also deliver high speed Internet via fibre optic cable to the region, helping to improve telecommunications for businesses and for public service delivery. The preliminary route calls for a 900 kilometer, approximately $1 billion project that will deliver power to Nunavut’s crown utility, Qulliq Energy Corporation. Other routes and transmission configurations are being investigated.

The project would take five communities and one or more gold mines off diesel. The five communities use approximately 11 million litres of diesel per year. Mining operations at Meadowbank Gold Mine, near Baker Lake use 33.5 million litres of diesel each year.

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