Following a fair, open and transparent competitive process, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, has awarded a $122 million contract (including taxes) to Nasittuq Corporation, from Ottawa, Ontario, to provide support services to CFS Alert in Nunavut for an initial period of eight-and-a-half years.

“Canadian Forces Station Alert is central to our North American defence systems. As Canada’s northernmost military outpost, the station offers enhanced arctic operational capabilities. This contract with Nasittuq Corporation will strengthen the station’s resources, deliver economic benefits to Inuit and Northern communities, and help protect Canada’s arctic sovereignty.”

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

“Thanks to the Government of Canada’s rigorous procurement process, we are proud to award this contract, which will support the work of the Canadian Armed Forces in the North while reaffirming our commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for Indigenous businesses to succeed and grow.”

The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“This long-term contract for site-support services of the Canadian Forces Station Alert complex and facilities will sustain regional jobs and continue to provide socio-economic benefits to Inuit, northern and Arctic communities—a key priority of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework. It also recognizes the traditional experience, expertise and knowledge that Inuit and Inuit industry bring when operating in the North and the Arctic.”

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs 

“Environment and Climate Change Canada has relied on Canadian Forces Station Alert for more than 40 years as our meteorologists and scientists carry out mission-critical environmental research and monitoring. Monitoring weather and atmospheric conditions such as greenhouse gas emissions, the ozone layer and ice thickness measurements, not only leads to more accurate weather predictions, but also informs health-related air quality warnings and provides a deeper understanding of our changing climate.”

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

• CFS Alert is located at 817 km from the North Pole, and the nearest settlement is the Inuit community of Grise Fiord, the most northern Inuit community, approximately 725 km to the south.

• CFS Alert is composed of about 90 buildings, with some 19 major structures in the core complex, totaling 22,500 m² (242 000 ft²) of facilities. There are also a 1,675 m (5500 ft). gravel runway, several miles of roads, a quarry operation, landfills, fuel farms, scientific laboratories, and antenna farms.

• The contract is for eight-and-a-half years, with two four-year extension options.

• Provisions of the Nunavut Land Claim apply to this contract as the delivery point at Ellesmere Island is within the designated land claim area. 

• This contract includes a mandatory Inuit Benefits Plan (IBP), which will ensure further economic benefits are provided to Inuit businesses and communities in accordance with the Nunavut Directive. The IBP requires bidders to submit a plan outlining how they will provide benefits to Inuit businesses and communities. 

• We have been formally engaging with the impacted Land Claim Authorities since November 2020 to develop and chart the future of contracting for the services contract at CFS Alert. 

• This contract complies with all regulations, directives and laws required for contracting in the Arctic region.

• This project directly supports Canada’s defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged to modernize the management of the real property portfolio to better serve defence and free up personnel to perform military tasks.

Associated links

• Canadian Forces Station Alert

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Media Relations
Department of National Defence
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