Northern Capital Cities Sign MOU to Advance Arctic Infrastructure, Resilience, and Defence Readiness

The Cities of Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Iqaluit formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today at the Arctic Summit 2026 in Whitehorse. The agreement strengthens collaboration among Canada’s northern capitals on shared priorities related to infrastructure resilience, community capacity, and support for Arctic security and defence operations.

Recognizing the growing strategic importance of the North, and the impacts on municipal services, infrastructure, and community development, the three cities have agreed to work together to advocate for coordinated federal investment and ongoing federal-municipal partnership across the Arctic.

The MOU outlines a joint commitment to work with the federal government to:

1. Invest in northern resilience and core infrastructure

Ensuring water, wastewater, solid waste, housing, transportation, energy, communications, and major community facilities in the northern capitals are modern, climate‑resilient, and capable of supporting both civilian and defence operations.

2. Strengthen federal-municipal collaboration
Embedding municipal perspectives in national investment decisions and planning related to Arctic sovereignty, NORAD modernization, and Department of National Defence (DND) readiness.

3. Support northern municipal capacity

Establishing a structured framework for predictable funding, technical support, data sharing, and coordinated planning to help northern municipalities meet growing operational and community demands.

The agreement affirms the importance of Indigenous and Inuit participation in Arctic development and commits each City to engage local Inuit, First Nations, and Métis governments, organizations, and development corporations consistent with regional best practices.

In the photo from left to right: Mayor Solomon Awa, City of Iqaluit, Mayor Kirk Cameron, City of Whitehorse, and Mayor Ben Hendriksen, City of Yellowknife

“Canada’s northern capitals play a central role in supporting Arctic sovereignty, community resilience, and national security. This MOU sends a strong message: our cities are aligned, proactive, and ready to work closely with the federal government to ensure the North has the infrastructure and capacity it needs—now and for the future.”
- Mayor Ben Hendriksen, City of Yellowknife

“This partnership is about protecting the everyday services residents count on, while preparing for the reality that the Arctic is seeing more attention and activity. For Iqaluit, that means investing in core infrastructure like water and wastewater, housing, safe roads, reliable power, and key community facilities. By working with Whitehorse and Yellowknife, we are pushing for coordinated federal partnership and long-term investment that strengthens northern capitals and supports Inuit and Indigenous participation throughout.”
- Mayor Solomon Awa, City of Iqaluit

“Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit are each critical northern hubs that play a unique role in supporting the residents, communities and economies of our respective territories. We strongly support efforts to enhance Arctic security and strengthen Canada’s sovereignty in a way that benefits northern residents and enhances community resiliency. By working together with Indigenous partners and federal agencies, we can advance strategic investments that bolster northern communities and benefit Canada as a whole.”
- Mayor Kirk Cameron, City of Whitehorse