News Release
Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Project to Proceed

April 5, 2013

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The Government of Canada today released its response to the report of the Substituted Review Panel for the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. The project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects subject to the implementation of the measures laid out in the response and can now proceed.

"Our Government is taking measures to protect the environment and the region's wildlife. We welcome news that this important project can proceed," said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The Government of Canada set aside $200 million to support the construction of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway.

"The new highway will strengthen Canada's Arctic presence and create jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity in the North," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Artic Council.

The Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, the Town of Inuvik, and the Government of the Northwest Territories are proposing to construct, operate and maintain a 140-kilometre all-weather highway from the Town of Inuvik to the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk. This project will be the first all-weather road connection to the Arctic coast, providing year-round overland access to the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk. Canada would then be connected by road from coast to coast to coast.

This project will help generate economic and social opportunities for this Northern region. As the first all-weather road connection to the Arctic coast, it will help decrease the cost of living in Tuktoyaktuk by enabling goods to be shipped year round, provide more opportunities for business development, reduce the cost of job-creating onshore oil and gas exploration, and strengthen Canada's sovereignty in the North.

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Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154