Study examines impacts and opportunities resulting from changing permafrost
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is investing $176,000 towards a study that will analyze the effects of changing permafrost conditions on northern infrastructure. Building on a substantial amount of data previously collected and led by a steering committee made up of federal and GNWT departments, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and a variety of local experts, this work will look at the potential impact of melting permafrost on public infrastructure in the NWT, the degree of infrastructure vulnerability, and the costs associated with addressing impacts.
This will be a high-level analysis of the incremental costs of both reactive and pro-active climate change adaptation for all public infrastructure in the NWT, as well as an examination of opportunities associated with infrastructure upgrades.
This analysis will assist in placing dollar values on proactive and reactive measures and will be a framework for establishing partnerships and roles in addressing these impending changes. It will also identify technical and economic opportunities expected to arise from the impact of changing permafrost and which NWT communities may be impacted.
Investment in this project is made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity-building across the North.
SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor. CanNor delivers on its exclusive northern mandate through funding programs, providing project management services, leveraging the federal role in the North, serving as a champion for northern interests, and undertaking policy and research.
