Former prime minister Stephen Harper said military budgets could be the key to improving infrastructure across Canada’s Arctic.
Speaking in Iqaluit at the Nunavut Arctic Sovereignty and Security Summit, he explained how military development can spark road and runway construction.
He added that this could also help cut living costs for Northerners.
Harper pointed to Iqaluit’s history, noting that the U.S. military built its 8,000-foot runway during the Second World War.
He described military investment as “the most effective” way to create lasting infrastructure.
“If we build roads, airports, and communication systems through military development, we not only support national security but also make it easier to deliver supplies, lower prices, and improve housing,” he said.
Canada recently agreed to NATO’s updated goal of spending five per cent of GDP on defence.
That funding could help create Northern Operational Support Hubs, including the one announced for Iqaluit in March.
The hub includes upgrades to local power and telecom systems.
Udlariak Hanson, vice-president of Baffinland and moderator of the event, said Northerners often define “security” differently — as access to food, energy, and shelter.
Harper agreed and said people in the South tend to focus on political threats, such as Donald Trump’s remarks about Greenland or Canada.
In contrast, people in the North prioritize survival and infrastructure.
He urged Ottawa to align military infrastructure planning with the region’s social and economic needs.
“It’s not just about sovereignty from a military angle,” Harper said. “It’s about delivering what people need to live securely.”
While avoiding direct comments on current policy, Harper reflected on his time in office.
He recalled touring the North every year and supporting projects like the Iqaluit port, the highway to Tuktoyaktuk, and the High-Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay.
“Nation-building projects define a government’s legacy,” he said. “Forget the short-term cost and think big.”
Harper ended his speech by urging leaders to take a long-term approach.
He said meaningful investments today will shape the country’s future.
