The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) will provide a year-round world-class hub for science and technology in Canada’s North. The new station will complement and anchor the existing network of smaller regional facilities across the North and will comprise a suite of services for science and technology in Canada’s North. The station will be built in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
Based on the Canadian High Arctic Research Station’s mandate and the desire to move seamlessly into the design phase, Budget 2010 provided Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, with $18 million over five years to undertake the pre-construction design phase of the station.
The mission of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station will be to support Arctic science and technology to:
- Develop and diversify the economy in Canada’s Arctic;
- Support the effective stewardship of Canada’s Arctic lands, waters, and resources;
- Create a hub for scientific activity in Canada’s vast and diverse Arctic;
- Promote self-sufficient, vibrant, and healthy Northern communities;
- Inspire and build capacity through training, education and outreach; and,
- Enhance Canada’s visible presence in the Arctic and strengthen Canada’s leadership on Arctic issues.
The design phase will build on the feasibility study that was made public in August 2011 to develop the conceptual design including floor plans, building elevations and material specifications, telecommunication strategies, and detailed cost and scheduling estimates for both the construction and operational phases of the new station. Green technology will be incorporated into the design of the station.
CHARS will create a strong research presence in Canada’s Arctic to serve Canada and the world. The station will include cutting-edge laboratories, workshops, offices, telecommunications and meeting facilities to support world class science and technology, as well as facilitate collaboration both nationally and internationally. It is anticipated that the station will house resident scientists as well as host domestic and international collaborators and visiting researchers. The total number of people who will work at the station will be evaluated during the design phase.
The full feasibility study is available at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station.
Northerners will continue to be engaged in the design of the station through participation on advisory bodies, community consultations and bilateral discussions. To ensure socioeconomic benefits in the North, CHARS procurement will respect relevant articles of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. During the design phase, bidding firms that include Nunavut representation – such as Inuit employment, offices and facilities located in Nunavut, or that provide for Inuit on-the-job training and skills development – will have their price proposal adjusted downwards for bid evaluation purposes. This will create a significant incentive for bidding firms to ensure their proposals generate economic benefits to Nunavut.
The CHARS mandate specifies as a principle that the station will work with Aboriginal peoples of Canada’s North and recognize the importance of traditional knowledge. The community of Cambridge Bay will be engaged to ensure that the station complements services in that community.
The construction and future operations of CHARS will deliver direct benefits for Cambridge Bay and the surrounding area in terms of employment and service contracts. Once CHARS is operational, the research, education and outreach activities will provide Northerners with skills and experience to better participate in the labour force, from mining and energy through natural resource and wildlife management, to health and life sciences. The station will also contribute to the economic development and diversification of Northern economies. CHARS is targeted to be operational in 2017 for Canada’s 150th anniversary.
