Northern communities on the front line of climate change: Senator Anderson
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Photo caption: A four-unit housing complex in Aklavik, Northwest Territories. The community of approximately 667 people, located in the Beaufort Delta, faces significant climate change-induced challenges, according to Senator Margaret Dawn Anderson.
The Arctic, a region of immense environmental, geopolitical, and cultural importance, stands at the forefront of a rapidly warming planet. Over the past few decades, we have seen dramatic transformations, including melting ice caps, shifting ecosystems and growing claims to Arctic sovereignty. These changes highlight the profound challenges posed by climate change and as they accelerate, the need for action becomes increasingly urgent.
The challenges of a warming Arctic are not hypothetical, but already affecting communities. A prime example is Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. In May 2024, the Marine Transportation Services cancelled the barge service to the community due to low water levels in the Mackenzie River. This predicament, though foreseen, highlights the ongoing decline in the river’s water levels, which has been worsening for years. The situation had an immediate impact on the community as fuel had to be flown into Norman Wells, driving costs up to $4.65 per litre for gasoline and $5.19 per litre for stove oil. The rising costs create a devastating domino effect, impacting not just transportation and heating, but also food prices and everyday essentials, making it harder for residents to make ends meet.
Facing these hardships, the town of Norman Wells circulated a petition to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. The petition called for a state of emergency to address the humanitarian crisis, $1.84 million in rebates to offset exorbitant diesel shipping costs, and collaboration with the federal government to provide immediate financial or logistical relief until the winter road opens. The community’s reliance on the winter road has become even more precarious, with the ever-decreasing window of time now only five to six weeks each year when the road is accessible. While the territorial government has stepped in to support Norman Wells, the community remains reliant on the 2025 winter road season for resupply, leaving residents in a precarious position.
Aklavik, Northwest Territories, a small community of approximately 667 people located in the Beaufort Delta, faces significant climate change-induced challenges, exacerbating the struggles of an already financially strained municipal government.
Situated in a flood zone, this community — where homes are built on pile ons atop permafrost and roads are gravel — has seen serious infrastructure degradation. The community swimming pool is closed due to mould and rotting wood, while a newly constructed four-unit housing complex was vacated because of mould issues, further exacerbating the housing challenges faced by the community. Fuel costs for municipal buildings have tripled, and the community has gone without a swimming pool for nearly a decade. The greenhouse — which has great potential — sits vacant and unused, further emphasizing the community’s struggle to make the most of available resources. There is no funding available for maintenance, and with no gravel left to repair roads or driveways, the town was forced to spend $800,000 — money it doesn’t have, which has contributed to its ongoing deficit.
This is what is happening in two of our 33 communities in a territory that has already faced extreme weather events, including fires and floods. The challenges faced by Aklavik and Norman Wells are not isolated but interconnected, as the entire region grapples with the impacts of climate change. The vulnerabilities of one community often ripple through the rest, especially in a territory where transportation, infrastructure and resources are interdependent. When one community faces an infrastructure breakdown or supply shortages, it creates a chain reaction, affecting neighbouring communities and the larger network. The repercussions extend beyond local boundaries, influencing the entire Northwest Territories’ economy, culture and well-being.
The challenges faced by northern communities in the Northwest Territories — from rising fuel costs to deteriorating infrastructure — demand urgent action. Investment in the North is not only an economic priority, but also crucial for national security. Climate change is amplifying existing risks and the Arctic must be recognized as a strategic asset for Canada’s defence.
Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that prioritizes infrastructure, including highways and housing, and ensures access to essential services like food security and health care. While short-term relief is necessary, long-term planning focused on climate resilience and stability will determine the region’s future. Municipal, territorial, Indigenous and federal governments must collaborate to create solutions that enable northern communities to thrive in a changing world.
Senator Margaret Dawn Anderson is a proud Inuvialuk. As part of her role as a Northern senator, she is committed to raising the profile of Arctic, Inuit and Indigenous issues across Canada to ensure equal and equitable representation that recognizes the uniqueness and diversity of the territory, particularly when it comes to legislation.
This article was published in The Hill Times on December 2, 2024.
Photo caption: A four-unit housing complex in Aklavik, Northwest Territories. The community of approximately 667 people, located in the Beaufort Delta, faces significant climate change-induced challenges, according to Senator Margaret Dawn Anderson.
The Arctic, a region of immense environmental, geopolitical, and cultural importance, stands at the forefront of a rapidly warming planet. Over the past few decades, we have seen dramatic transformations, including melting ice caps, shifting ecosystems and growing claims to Arctic sovereignty. These changes highlight the profound challenges posed by climate change and as they accelerate, the need for action becomes increasingly urgent.
The challenges of a warming Arctic are not hypothetical, but already affecting communities. A prime example is Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. In May 2024, the Marine Transportation Services cancelled the barge service to the community due to low water levels in the Mackenzie River. This predicament, though foreseen, highlights the ongoing decline in the river’s water levels, which has been worsening for years. The situation had an immediate impact on the community as fuel had to be flown into Norman Wells, driving costs up to $4.65 per litre for gasoline and $5.19 per litre for stove oil. The rising costs create a devastating domino effect, impacting not just transportation and heating, but also food prices and everyday essentials, making it harder for residents to make ends meet.
Facing these hardships, the town of Norman Wells circulated a petition to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. The petition called for a state of emergency to address the humanitarian crisis, $1.84 million in rebates to offset exorbitant diesel shipping costs, and collaboration with the federal government to provide immediate financial or logistical relief until the winter road opens. The community’s reliance on the winter road has become even more precarious, with the ever-decreasing window of time now only five to six weeks each year when the road is accessible. While the territorial government has stepped in to support Norman Wells, the community remains reliant on the 2025 winter road season for resupply, leaving residents in a precarious position.
Aklavik, Northwest Territories, a small community of approximately 667 people located in the Beaufort Delta, faces significant climate change-induced challenges, exacerbating the struggles of an already financially strained municipal government.
Situated in a flood zone, this community — where homes are built on pile ons atop permafrost and roads are gravel — has seen serious infrastructure degradation. The community swimming pool is closed due to mould and rotting wood, while a newly constructed four-unit housing complex was vacated because of mould issues, further exacerbating the housing challenges faced by the community. Fuel costs for municipal buildings have tripled, and the community has gone without a swimming pool for nearly a decade. The greenhouse — which has great potential — sits vacant and unused, further emphasizing the community’s struggle to make the most of available resources. There is no funding available for maintenance, and with no gravel left to repair roads or driveways, the town was forced to spend $800,000 — money it doesn’t have, which has contributed to its ongoing deficit.
This is what is happening in two of our 33 communities in a territory that has already faced extreme weather events, including fires and floods. The challenges faced by Aklavik and Norman Wells are not isolated but interconnected, as the entire region grapples with the impacts of climate change. The vulnerabilities of one community often ripple through the rest, especially in a territory where transportation, infrastructure and resources are interdependent. When one community faces an infrastructure breakdown or supply shortages, it creates a chain reaction, affecting neighbouring communities and the larger network. The repercussions extend beyond local boundaries, influencing the entire Northwest Territories’ economy, culture and well-being.
The challenges faced by northern communities in the Northwest Territories — from rising fuel costs to deteriorating infrastructure — demand urgent action. Investment in the North is not only an economic priority, but also crucial for national security. Climate change is amplifying existing risks and the Arctic must be recognized as a strategic asset for Canada’s defence.
Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that prioritizes infrastructure, including highways and housing, and ensures access to essential services like food security and health care. While short-term relief is necessary, long-term planning focused on climate resilience and stability will determine the region’s future. Municipal, territorial, Indigenous and federal governments must collaborate to create solutions that enable northern communities to thrive in a changing world.
Senator Margaret Dawn Anderson is a proud Inuvialuk. As part of her role as a Northern senator, she is committed to raising the profile of Arctic, Inuit and Indigenous issues across Canada to ensure equal and equitable representation that recognizes the uniqueness and diversity of the territory, particularly when it comes to legislation.
This article was published in The Hill Times on December 2, 2024.