Group urges Ottawa to expand definition of military spending – Nunatsiaq News

May 22, 2026

Dual-use infrastructure could include housing, recreation centres, says Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Dual-use infrastructure projects will literally pave the way to Arctic sovereignty and security, says a report released this month by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

The Future of Northern and Arctic Canada makes the case for Prime Minister Mark Carney to define all northern municipal infrastructure as dual-use, which means projects traditionally thought of as civilian could fall under the umbrella of defence spending.

“Arctic sovereignty and security depend on strong local governments and reliable infrastructure,” federation president Rebecca Bligh said in a phone interview. “Thriving communities are part of that.”