ATCO Ltd. has announced a staged $10 million investment to acquire a 40 per cent ownership stake in West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. (WKR), strengthening efforts to advance the proposed Grays Bay Road and Port Project in western Nunavut. The Inuit-backed infrastructure project includes a 230-kilometre all-season road, a deepwater port on the Northwest Passage, and a 6,000-foot airstrip, creating a vital transportation corridor to unlock the region’s critical mineral potential while reinforcing Canada’s Arctic sovereignty.
ATCO says the partnership aligns with Canada’s vision of building strategic northern infrastructure that supports economic growth, national security, and expanded trade opportunities. Once completed, the project would establish the first overland connection between Canada’s national highway system and a deepwater port in the western Arctic, providing a new export route to global markets and reducing reliance on traditional transportation corridors. The project is expected to be fully operational by 2035 and has been referred to the federal government’s Major Projects Office for review.
The investment also reinforces Indigenous participation in northern development, with WKR remaining significantly Inuit-owned and committed to delivering long-term benefits for Kitikmeot communities. ATCO says its experience delivering infrastructure and services across northern Canada positions it as a strong strategic partner to help move the project toward construction. Company officials described the investment as a nation-building initiative that will improve northern connectivity, support responsible resource development, strengthen Arctic security, and create lasting economic opportunities for Nunavut and Canada.
