Overview of the Promise

During his campaign for prime minister, Mark Carney pledged to work closely with Arctic and Northern Indigenous leadership as partners in defence and security investments. This commitment emphasized respecting Indigenous rights, incorporating traditional knowledge, and ensuring community priorities are reflected. A key focus was on targeted investments in dual-use infrastructure, such as airstrips and other critical infrastructure, which could serve both civilian and military purposes.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since taking office in early 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made several moves aligned with this promise. In March 2025, Carney visited Iqaluit, Nunavut, to announce initiatives in partnership with Inuit leaders aimed at building the Nunavut economy and strengthening Canadian security in the Arctic. This included announcements of defence projects like the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar system, developed in collaboration with Australia, with a funding commitment of $6 billion. These efforts were presented as incorporating Indigenous partnerships to reinforce sovereignty and economic growth in the North.

Further, in June 2025, the government announced plans to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces, with specific mentions of enhancing presence in the Arctic. This included $253 million in new funding for Indigenous reconciliation initiatives in the North, indicating an effort to reflect community priorities. In August 2025, Carney engaged with Métis leadership on the Building Canada Act, which focuses on major infrastructure projects in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, potentially including dual-use assets.

Respecting Indigenous Rights and Incorporating Traditional Knowledge

The government's announcements have highlighted respect for Indigenous rights, such as through partnerships in security projects that involve Inuit leaders. For instance, the Iqaluit visit emphasized working with local leadership to ensure investments align with community needs. Canada's updated Arctic Foreign Policy, released in March 2025, commits to strengthening defence of critical infrastructure in the Arctic through measures like the Investment Canada Act and new legislation on foreign interference, with explicit references to collaboration with territorial, provincial, and Indigenous partners. However, specific details on how traditional knowledge is being incorporated into defence planning remain limited in public disclosures, suggesting this aspect is still developing.

Ensuring Community Priorities and Dual-Use Infrastructure Investments

Community priorities appear to be addressed through targeted funding, such as the $420 million announced for year-round military presence in the Arctic and additional investments in Nunavut infrastructure. The focus on dual-use infrastructure, like airstrips, is evident in plans to expand military footprints while supporting civilian needs, as outlined in the March 2025 sovereignty reinforcement backgrounder. The One Canadian Economy Act, passed earlier in 2025, aims to expedite major infrastructure projects and remove barriers to internal trade, with provisions that could facilitate dual-use developments in the North. Consultations with Indigenous groups on these projects have been ongoing, as noted in summer 2025 policy analyses, but full implementation of airstrips and other critical infrastructure is not yet complete.

Legislation Proposed or Passed

Key legislation includes the One Canadian Economy Act, which was enacted to streamline infrastructure projects and has been linked to Northern investments. The Building Canada Act, under discussion in August 2025, emphasizes partnerships with Indigenous leadership for major builds. Additionally, updates to Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy incorporate defence commitments with Indigenous involvement. No major legislation has been broken or stalled specifically on this promise, but critics note that the rapid pace of defence spending proposals, such as an extra $9 billion by April 2025, may challenge thorough Indigenous consultations.

Progress Assessment

While initial steps like announcements and partnerships show movement, the promise requires sustained implementation, including completed infrastructure projects and demonstrable integration of traditional knowledge. To become kept, the government must deliver on tangible dual-use investments with documented Indigenous input and rights protections. If consultations falter or projects proceed without adequate reflection of community priorities, it risks being broken.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.