Canada to Invest $77 Million in a Small Craft Harbour in Arctic Bay, Construction to Begin in 2026

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 2, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced that a new multi-purpose small craft harbour will be built in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, with a federal investment of more than CAD 77 million. The project covers the construction of a breakwater, a fixed wharf, approach channel and harbour basin dredging facilities, a boat launch ramp, and a floating dock for small vessels.

Canada's government procurement records show that the construction contract was awarded to Pilitak Enterprises Ltd. on February 17, 2026, with a total contract value of CAD 77,035,350 and a contract period of approximately 50 months, scheduled to run until May 7, 2030. The project was procured through open competition, with bids evaluated on a combined technical and price score.

The new harbour is initially designed to accommodate 64 small vessels, with space reserved for future expansion to approximately 80 vessels. The fixed wharf will be used for berthing larger vessels, and the harbour basin and entrance channel will be dredged to accommodate the entry and exit of different types of vessels.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's 2026–2027 plan lists the Arctic Bay harbour as a five-year construction project, running from fiscal year 2025–2026 to fiscal year 2029–2030. The department's capital budget for the project's design, construction, and maintenance in the current fiscal year has been increased by CAD 21.264 million.

Once completed, the project will serve the local commercial fishery, traditional harvesting, marine transportation, and community resupply. Fisheries and Oceans Canada currently expects the work to be completed by 2030.