Polar Knowledge Canada's 2025-26 Departmental Plan: At a glance

A departmental plan describes a department’s priorities, plans and associated costs for the upcoming three fiscal years.

• Vision, mission, raison d’être and operating context

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Key priorities

Polar Knowledge Canada’s top priorities for 2025-26 are as follows:

• Science and knowledge creation: Polar Knowledge Canada is dedicated to conducting and supporting scientific research of the polar and circumpolar regions and advancing knowledge of the Canadian Arctic to improve economic opportunities, environmental stewardship, and the quality of life of its residents. The Agency will prioritize the creation and exchange of knowledge products across Indigenous and Northern communities, the scientific and policy communities, and the public.
• Reconciliation: Polar Knowledge Canada is committed to building and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples, Northern communities, territories, and governments. The Agency will prioritize the equal treatment and integration of Indigenous Knowledge and science, focus research on priorities identified by Indigenous and Northern communities, and ensure dissemination of knowledge back to those communities, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment of trust and mutual understanding.
• Employee well-being and diversity: Polar Knowledge Canada is committed to creating a workplace that understands the realities of working in the North and supports its employees wherever they are located. Polar Knowledge Canada will also continue to support the Inuit Employment Plan through the development of innovative strategies to attract, develop, and retain Nunavut Inuit employees in accordance with our commitment to the spirit of Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement.
• Canadian Arctic research hub: Polar Knowledge Canada is committed to supporting and enabling polar researchers from around the world, advancing research priorities identified by Indigenous and Northern communities, and strengthening Canada’s leadership on Arctic issues. The Agency will prioritize timely responses to research support requests and endeavour to provide the lab support, field support, and accommodations necessary to allow researchers to succeed.

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Highlights

In 2025-26, total planned spending (including internal services) for Polar Knowledge Canada is $35,033,359 and total planned full-time equivalent staff (including internal services) is 107. For complete information on Polar Knowledge Canada’s total planned spending and human resources, read the Planned spending and human resources section of the full plan.

The following provides a summary of the Agency’s planned achievements for 2025-26 according to its approved Departmental Results Framework. A Departmental Results Framework consists of a department’s core responsibilities, the results it plans to achieve, and the performance indicators that measure progress toward these results.

Core responsibility 1: Polar Science and Knowledge

Planned spending: $26,536,191

Planned human resources: 51

Departmental results:

• Canada’s polar science and technology research is publicly available and being applied
• Canada’s Arctic science includes Indigenous and local knowledge;
• Canada fosters domestic and international knowledge exchange and partnerships in polar science
• The next generation of Canadian polar researchers is developed.

In 2025-26, Polar Knowledge Canada will:

• Continue to engage in the development of valuable research projects and will ensure that science and technology research is made available online through various formats, including podcasts, videos, information products, periodicals, and research publications.
• Continue to facilitate the transfer and integration of Indigenous and local knowledge through recruitment of Inuit employees, engagement with communities and local partners, and knowledge sharing events and workshops.
• Focus on strengthening engagement with Northern and Indigenous partners, through development and circulation of knowledge products.
• Prioritise domestic and international partnerships to advance key research goals and increase knowledge sharing by ensuring diverse participation in events, collaborating on key research projects, and strengthening service delivery at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station.
• Continue to develop Canada’s leadership in polar science by supporting early career researchers through its transfer payment programs and inspiring the next generation to enter Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs by supporting STEM workshops and activities for youth.

More information about Polar Science and Knowledge can be found in the full plan.