Canada is expanding its investment in northern clean energy infrastructure with nearly $7 million in funding for eight projects across Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, supporting efforts to modernize electricity systems, reduce diesel dependence and improve long-term energy security.
Announced in Whitehorse by the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature, alongside Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, the funding builds on Canada’s National Electricity Strategy and focuses on strengthening reliable, affordable electricity for northern communities.
The projects are designed to improve local power systems while supporting families, businesses, critical infrastructure and future economic development. The investments also recognize the unique energy challenges facing northern and remote communities, where electricity costs can range from six to ten times the national average due to geographic and infrastructure constraints.
The announcement comes as Canada prepares for electricity demand that is expected to double by 2050. Through the National Electricity Strategy, the federal government is working with territorial and Indigenous partners to expand clean electricity capacity, improve energy efficiency and enhance long-term energy security across the North.
Beyond lowering emissions, the investments are intended to create conditions for economic growth, attract new investment and support good-paying jobs while improving the resilience of northern communities.
“Building a stronger Canada starts with building reliable, affordable and clean electricity systems throughout the country, including the North. Investments like the ones announced today reduce reliance on diesel and support Indigenous leadership in shaping the energy future of their communities. By working in partnership with territorial and Indigenous governments, we are creating the conditions for long-term economic growth, greater resilience and new opportunities for northern communities while advancing our path to a low-carbon future,” explained the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature.
Hanley said the investments also reinforce the federal government’s commitment to partnering with Indigenous Peoples and northern communities as energy needs continue to evolve:
“Securing reliable, affordable, clean power in Yukon and the North is essential to our prosperity, security and sustainability. Investments like these demonstrate our government’s commitment to working, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and northern communities, to help meet evolving energy needs, create economic opportunities, reduce emissions and advance community-led solutions that will help power the North’s energy future.”
With clean electricity positioned as a cornerstone of Canada’s long-term economic and energy strategy, the latest investments aim to strengthen northern energy resilience while supporting community-led development and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
