OTTAWA — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is optimistic that the expansion of the Port of Churchill will be included in the federal government's upcoming list of nation-building projects. He believes this could also benefit another key initiative: the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link. This Inuit-led project aims to create a 1,200-kilometer transmission line that would connect Manitoba’s power grid to five communities in southwestern Nunavut. The project seeks to provide renewable energy, reducing reliance on diesel, and improving internet access in these areas.

Kinew expressed his confidence in the project during an interview, stating, "We want to build big things in this country. How about we build a corridor that connects Western Canadian resources to international tidewater in Hudson Bay, and then we spur north from there and light up the territory to our north?" He emphasized that both the port expansion and the hydro-fibre link could be pursued simultaneously.

In recent months, Kinew has actively supported the hydro-fibre link initiative. In April, he directed Manitoba Hydro to reserve 50 megawatts of power from expiring export contracts for the project. He also signed a joint statement with Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, reaffirming their commitment to advancing the link between their regions. Both leaders prioritized the hydro-fibre link during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in June.

The federal government plans to announce a small list of executable projects within two weeks. The hydro-fibre link aligns with the criteria outlined in the Building Canada Act. Proponents argue that it will enhance Canada’s autonomy, provide economic benefits, support Indigenous interests, and address climate change. Kinew noted, "If we have the opportunity to light up the North, including some communities in northern Manitoba that are still running on generators, to me, that’s a climate win alongside an economic win."

The project is expected to have a swift timeline, with construction slated to begin in 2028 and full functionality anticipated by 2032, according to Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, CEO of Nukik Corporation, which oversees the project. The federal government has already invested millions in the project's development and environmental assessments. Since 2021, the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link has been referenced in three consecutive federal budgets and has received consistent recommendations for support from the House of Commons finance committee.

Despite its potential, the project comes with a hefty price tag, now estimated at over $3 billion. While the Canada Infrastructure Bank has pledged to fund part of the initiative, the remaining financing through private equity and tax credits remains uncertain. Audouin expressed optimism that being included on the government’s major projects list could attract additional capital. "Being on that list would probably actually attract capital because now you’ve got the backing of the federal government identifying you as a project that’s worthy of proceeding," she said. However, she acknowledged that until the list is released, the project's future remains uncertain.

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, speaking in Berlin, indicated that the government’s new major projects office is working on finalizing the list.