Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced a call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) for projects to address transportation infrastructure challenges in Canada’s Arctic and northern regions.
“Efficient and reliable transportation networks are key to Canada’s economic prosperity. Enhancing Arctic and northern transportation will support trade diversification and social development and ensure greater connectivity for Northerners,” said Garneau. “I encourage eligible transportation infrastructure owners, operators and users to apply for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund. Through this call for proposals, we are helping to address the unique and urgent transportation infrastructure needs in Canada’s Arctic and Northern regions.”
The NTCF is one component of the $180-billion Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada’s strategy for addressing long-term infrastructure needs and supporting middle-class growth and well-paying jobs. The fund is investing $2.3 billion over 11 years to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of Canada’s transportation infrastructure, including $800 million in dedicated funding for Arctic and northern regions.
Enhancing Arctic and northern transportation is essential to prosperity in these regions. This call for proposals encourages eligible applicants to submit transportation infrastructure proposals that support long-term social benefits and economic development, while also considering the impacts of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Examples of project goals could include, but are not limited to:
- Increasing the efficiency and reach of core public services, and reducing transportation and related (e.g. food, construction material) costs for Northerners;
- Addressing known safety vulnerabilities, including those due to natural hazards, in Canada’s Arctic and northern regions;
- Connecting multiple communities and development sites to markets, or strengthen existing connections, including by providing transportation options and redundancies; and
- Providing innovative transportation solutions to improve the efficiency, reliability or safety of the transportation system in a northern environment.
“With today’s call for proposals our government is working to address long-term infrastructure needs in Canada’s North and Arctic. Transportation is a lifeline for Northern communities and essential for economic development projects in Canada’s Arctic,” said Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal. “Transportation infrastructure remains limited, presenting challenges that do not exist for many other Canadian communities. The National Trade Corridors Fund will help enhance this infrastructure, making it easier, more efficient, and less expensive to move passengers and commercial goods in and out of Northern communities. I encourage all those who are eligible to submit proposals to Transport Canada.”
Territorial, provincial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private sector organizations, academic institutions and federal Crown corporations are all eligible and encouraged to submit expressions of interest until December 21, 2020. Comprehensive project proposals are due no later than March 15, 2021.
For a link to the NTFC application guide, click here.
