Question Period Note: Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (82)

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About

Reference number:
NA-2020-QP-0012
Date received:
May 26, 2020
Organization:
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Name of Minister:
Vandal, Dan (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of Northern Affairs

Suggested Response:

• Northerners want long-term solutions that address both local concerns and global challenges.

• The Inuit-led Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project will bring clean, renewable and reliable energy to the North and eliminate the use of 44.5 million litres of diesel annually.

• It will also deliver broadband connectivity to five Kivalliq communities and two operating mines, improving telecommunications and public service delivery for 7,500 residents in those communities.

• We are committed to working with the Kivalliq Inuit Association and partners to advance this important project.

Background:

Background

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 1,200 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 1,200 kilometre, approximately $1.7 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.

Additional Information:

None