Backgrounder: The Government of Canada invests nearly $490,000 to expand innovation for a resilient northern economy

May 15, 2026 – Iqaluit, Nunavut – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

This information adds to the news release issued on May 15, 2026 The Government of Canada provides nearly $490,000 to expand innovation for a resilient northern economy about CanNor’s support, the businesses and organizations that received funding, and their projects.

The Government of Canada, through CanNor, is providing nearly $490,000 to four projects aimed at innovative products, services, and approaches to building a diverse northern economy.

Project information

Project: Northern Solidarity Economy: Research on co-operative businesses
Recipient: Dechinta Initiatives
Location: Northwest Territories
Details: Dechinta Initiatives will undertake a two-year project to research the viability of developing a northern cooperative economy. The project will also include the development of culturally relevant, 12-student cohort course to support learning and engagement on the topic.
CanNor contribution: Up to $250,000
Funding program: NIEOP

Project: Inuit Nunangat and Canadian Arctic infrastructure mapping
Recipient: Arctic 360
Location: Pan-territorial
Details: Arctic 360, a not-for-profit think tank, will run a two-year project to develop an infrastructure inventory for the three territories and Inuit Nunangat. Once completed, the map-based project and accompanying data will improve understanding of infrastructure needs and gaps across the Canadian Arctic.
CanNor contribution: Up to $99,998
Funding program: IDEANorth

Project: NunaCase
Recipient: Baffin Phones Inc.
Location: Iqaluit, Nunavut
Details: Baffin Phones Inc. will carry out a one-year project to launch a new phone case product in Nunavut. The “NunaCase” brand features licensed Inuit artwork from Dorset Fine Arts in Kinngait, with fifteen percent of gross sales going to the featured artists.
CanNor contribution: Up to $90,000
Funding program: REGI

Project: Closed-loop waste management system
Recipient: Village of Carmacks
Location: Carmacks, Yukon
Details: The Village of Carmacks will run a two-year project to design and plan for a closed-loop biogas-fueled waste management system. The Village has contracted Balance BioGas, a Yukon-based company specializing in small-scale anaerobic digesters that convert organic waste into renewable energy and fertilizer that are designed for northern and remote communities. Early projections show the system could generate around $120,000 in annual economic value and offset around 19,600 litres of diesel per year. 
CanNor contribution: Up to $50,000; the Government of Yukon is providing $45,000; Yukon University is providing $30,200
Funding program: IDEANorth