Deadline Date: June 05, 2026
The Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a $1 billion initiative designed to support the development and expansion of critical transportation infrastructure across Canada’s Arctic region.
The program focuses on strengthening defence readiness and Canada’s ability to operate in the Arctic; improving transportation links that enable economic development and access to domestic and global markets; enhancing community connectivity and access to essential goods, services, and emergency response; and advancing Indigenous reconciliation by recognizing that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities are best placed to identify their own infrastructure needs.
The Arctic Infrastructure Fund supports the development of dual-use transportation infrastructure that serves both defence and community priorities. This includes projects such as roads, rail lines, airports, bridges, and ports that can enhance both national security capabilities and everyday transportation needs in Arctic communities.
The initiative will be delivered by Transport Canada in collaboration with other federal departments, including the Department of National Defence. Through this coordinated approach, the program aims to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic while also contributing to economic development and improving the resilience of local communities.
Funding under the program may be provided as repayable or non-repayable contributions depending on the nature of the project. In some cases, projects may receive a combination of both funding types to support their implementation.
The program includes multiple funding streams, including Stream 2: Industry and Community-Led Transportation Infrastructure, which supports smaller-scale projects driven by local communities or industry partners. These projects are intended to improve regional connectivity, strengthen supply chains, and enhance emergency response capabilities while also potentially serving as enabling links to larger transportation corridor developments supported under Stream 1.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.
