The Government of Canada invests $85.5 million to rehabilitate the Rankin Inlet Airport and strengthen Arctic and northern connectivity

RANKIN INLET, NU, Sept. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- Northern and Arctic communities, including Indigenous communities, rely on safe and reliable transportation infrastructure to support daily life, economic activity, and access to essential goods and services. As climate change puts increasing pressure on northern transportation systems, investments in all-season infrastructure are helping communities stay connected, while strengthening supply chains and supporting Canada's security and sovereignty in the Arctic.

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, celebrated the grand opening of the Rankin Inlet air terminal building and announced federal funding of $85.5 million through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to support the Rankin Inlet Airfield Rehabilitation Project.

This investment builds on a previously announced investment from National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) which funded the Rankin Inlet air terminal building. It will help the full rehabilitation of the airport's runaway which will enhance the reliability and safety of air transportation in the Kivalliq region. As a critical gateway for northern communities, the airport plays an essential role in moving passengers, cargo, and vital supplies and services, including food and medical equipment.

The AIF funding complements the Department of National Defence's investment to rehabilitate the runway, reaffirmed by Prime Minister Carney earlier this year. Together, these improvements will strengthen the airport's capacity to support growing transportation needs while enhancing the Canadian Armed Force's operational capabilities in Canada's North.

The project will reinforce Rankin Inlet Airport's role as a key regional logistics hub, supporting community connectivity, emergency and medevac services, and supply chains across Nunavut. It will also strengthen the dual‑use infrastructure that serves both civilian and defence purposes, contributing to the long-term resilience of northern transportation networks and supporting Canada's security and sovereignty objectives.

Funding announced today will support:

• Enhancement of the safety, reliability, and capacity of the airport's runway, taxiways, and apron systems, which serve the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut;
• Rehabilitation of approximately 141,000 square metres of airfield pavement, including Runway 13‑31, Taxiways A and C, and associated apron surfaces;
• Ensure on-going safe and reliable operations, extend the airfield's service life by 15 to 20 years, and reduce long‑term maintenance needs.

Through the AIF, the Government of Canada is making targeted investments in dual-use, civilian/community and defence, and nation-building infrastructure that strengthen northern transportation corridors, improve supply chain reliability, increase economic opportunities, and support Canada's long-term presence and operational readiness in the Arctic and the North.

Quotes

"Investing in the Rankin Inlet Airport is an investment in Canada's North, our Arctic sovereignty, and the communities that depend on reliable transportation every day. Through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, we are strengthening critical infrastructure that serves both civilian and defence purposes, helping ensure northern transportation networks remain safe, resilient, and dependable well into the future."

The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"For people in Rankin Inlet and across the Kivalliq, the airport is more than infrastructure. It connects families and communities and helps people access the food, supplies, services and opportunities they rely on. By investing in safe and reliable transportation in the North, we are strengthening communities and creating new opportunities, while also strengthening Canada's presence and sovereignty in the Arctic. A strong Arctic starts with strong communities and the people who call the North home."

The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand
 Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Quick facts

• Introduced in Budget 2025, the $1 billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund will strengthen reliable year-round transportation connectivity for Northern and Arctic communities in Canada.
• The Arctic Infrastructure Fund supports dual-use, civilian/community and defence, transportation infrastructure that serves civilian, community, and defence needs in Arctic and Northern regions in Canada.
• The Government of Canada is committed to engaging Indigenous groups and upholding its duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate, consistent with section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
• Investments announced today build upon previous investments made at the Rankin Inlet Airport:
  • New terminal building supported by nearly $63.5 million through the NTCF
  • Originally built by NORAD, the Rankin Inlet runway can accommodate CF 188 Hornet jets and large transport aircraft which is essential to its role as a future Northern Operational Support Node that will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to project and sustain forces into more remote Arctic areas.

Associated links

• Arctic Infrastructure Fund – Webpage
• Government of Canada invests in transportation infrastructure improvements in Nunavut - Canada.ca
• The Government of Canada invests $405 million to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project and strengthen Arctic connectivity - Canada.ca
• Government of Canada announces modernization of the Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport to begin this fall - Canada.ca
• Prime Minister Carney announces ambitious new plan to defend, build, and transform the North | Prime Minister of Canada

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SOURCE Transport Canada - Ottawa

Contacts: Marie-Justine Torres, Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, 613-327-5918, [email protected]; Media relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]