The governments of Nunavut (GN) and Manitoba signed a joint statement on April 16 declaring their commitment to advance the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, a vital energy and communications corridor connecting the two regions.

The strategic initiative aims to drive economic development, support reconciliation, combat climate change and strengthen CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Arctic security.

The Inuit-led, Inuit-driven project, estimated to cost $1.6 billion, is one of four nation-building infrastructure projects declared a priority by the GN and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok said the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL) will deliver clean energy to Kivalliq communities while unlocking the economic potential in the region, addressing CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 vulnerabilities in the Arctic and advancing national sovereignty and security goals.

SA国际影视传媒淭his partnership with Manitoba is a crucial step towards our joint commitment to strengthen economic relations within Canada by buying Canadian and investing in the North,SA国际影视传媒� said Akeeagok.

Manitoba Hydro also announced it would commit 50 megawatts (MW) of reserve load capacity to support the development of KHFL.

SA国际影视传媒淢anitoba HydroSA国际影视传媒檚 50 MW commitment is a major milestone on our path to a sustainable energy future for Nunavut,SA国际影视传媒� said John Main, minister responsible for the

Qulliq Energy Corporation. SA国际影视传媒淭he KHFL is projected to supply clean electricity to five of the seven Kivalliq communities, significantly reducing the regionSA国际影视传媒檚 carbon

footprint by replacing diesel generation.SA国际影视传媒�

The project has come a long way since then-KIA president David Ningeongan announced the federal government was kicking in $1.6 million towards a feasibility study in March 2019.

At that time, the proposal being studied would see a transmission line run about 1,200 kilometres to Rankin Inlet from Churchill, Man., and would include a fibre-optic cable.

An initial feasibility study by an engineering firm in Montreal in 2015 had also indicated the project would be viable. Ningeogan said he anticipated every level of government would be fully engaged with the project within 12 months.

At the time, he said it was still too early in the crawling stage to really say who was and who wasn't, doing what.

SA国际影视传媒淭he KIA is going to continue to push this ahead as an Inuit-led project SA国际影视传媒� not a provincially- or territorial-led project,SA国际影视传媒� said Ningeongan at the time. SA国际影视传媒淭he Manitoba government is aware of the project as, in previous months, we've engaged with Hydro Manitoba as well as the Department of Crown Services just to let them know we're going to try and get this project off the ground SA国际影视传媒� we just haven't fully engaged with them to see how fast we're going to move the project.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project will represent the first time southern Canada connects to the North on any kind of infrastructure project.

"This is a nation-building project and the KIA looks forward to continuing its relationship with federal, territorial and provincial governments to move it ahead. This project has been discussed for many years but (KIA executive director) Gabriel Karlik and I have been pushing very hard since both the GN and the Government of Manitoba put funding into a study in 2015 which went nowhere after being completed."

Ningeongan said the KHFL project has the potential to offset 380,000 tones of greenhouse gas emissions in Nunavut and the GN is projected to save $40-million annually in fuel costs.

He said industry would also benefit greatly, with Agnico Eagle saving about $60-million a year with the transmission line in place.

"That's $100-million saved right there and that doesn't include the potential future savings of our commercial users SA国际影视传媒� Northern stores and Co-op stores SA国际影视传媒� which, I would hope, with lower power rates, would decrease item prices and have a positive impact on people in the region.

"The fibre optic, in itself, will be a game changer by providing higher user speeds that will help the healthcare system access online support from different facilities across Canada.

"And, for education, Inuit and non-Inuit alike will have the opportunity to take online courses without having to worry about satellite bandwidth cutting their service when they need it the most.

"And, if we do get the fibre-optic line, the satellite bandwidth will open up to the other communities in the territory, which should improve the speed services and provide a lasting benefit to all of Nunavut, not just the Kivalliq region."

The joint statement signed by the two governments on April 16 shows the dream is still alive and continues to move forward.