Canada needs Arctic ports. The private sector can help

Sea ice along the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Photo by David Goldman/AP files

As Arctic sea ice melts, the Northwest Passage shortcut between Asia and Europe is becoming increasingly navigable. But unlike the Panama Canal, it lacks the ports needed to make it a viable shipping route. This gap threatens Canada’s sovereignty and ability to support growing Arctic trade. Partnering with private industry could close it faster than government action alone.

To better understand this challenge, I authored the just-published “ Canadian Arctic maritime infrastructure assessment ” on behalf of the Canadian Maritime Security Network . It profiles 78 coastal communities and sites across the Northwest Passage, Hudson Bay and James Bay, detailing the transportation, ener