July 17, 2015
NANISIVIK, Nunavut — The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, participated in the official ground-breaking for construction of the Nanisivik Naval Facility.
Following the preparation work for the site conducted in 2014, the ground-breaking marked the beginning of the construction phase in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. Located along the north shores of Baffin Island, just south of the Northwest Passage, this landmark facility will provide support to the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as other Government vessels in the Arctic, to further protect Canadian sovereignty and interests in the north.
As the activity in the Arctic by countries such as Russia has increased, the Canadian Armed Forces play a vital role in demonstrating a visible Canadian presence, helping other government agencies respond to challenges that may arise, and protecting the potentially resource-rich region. The Nanisivik Naval Facility will ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces continue to have the capacity to exercise control over Canada’s air and maritime approaches in the region.
In preparation for this significant project, the Department of National Defence has gained a substantial amount of knowledge about construction in the high Arctic, a region which poses challenges unlike any other.
Ashlee Smith
Director of Communications to the Associate Minister of National Defence
Department of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
