Deep in Canada’s Far North, nestled on the shores of Hudson Bay in the hamlet of Arviat, a remarkable transformation is underway. By April 2026, a state-of-the-art modular home factory—a $70 million investment—will begin producing Arctic-ready housing designed, built, and assembled within the territory. This initiative, led by Sakku Investments Corporation in partnership with the Kivalliq Inuit Association, marks a pivotal moment in solving Nunavut’s persistent housing crisis.
Spread across a 64,000 sq ft factory and 21,500 sq ft warehouse—roughly the size of four hockey rinks—the facility is engineered for year‑round production, sidestepping the region’s brief summer build season. It will produce approximately 40 homes annually, reducing traditional construction timelines by eight to 14 months and enabling high‑quality, weather‑resistant homes far faster. Modular elements—from insulation to windows—are optimized for Arctic conditions, a leap beyond earlier prefab initiatives that struggled to perform in extreme temperatures.
But this factory is more than bricks and bolts; it’s a catalyst for economic and social resurgence. Staffed by about 40 individuals, including journeyperson carpenters, plumbers, and electricians, with 30 percent engaged as apprentices, it serves as a living classroom. Sakku’s partnership with Nunavut Arctic College aligns training with local apprenticeship programs, ensuring workers gain regionally accredited credentials. South-based experts will initially provide mentorship, with the goal of transferring skills fully to Inuit trainers—empowering the North to take control of its housing future.
Strategically sited in Arviat—the territory’s third-largest community with an eager workforce and chronic housing need—the project received robust public and private support. Funding includes $13 million from Sakku’s ranks, a $6 million injection from CanNor, Nunavut government backing, and federal contributions totaling up to $6 million. This collective investment addresses one of Nunavut’s costliest challenges: expensive shipping, unpredictable materials, and volatile labour supply, all while retaining revenue in-territory.
Voices across the community affirm its significance. Arviat’s Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. hails the factory as a “win-win,” delivering local jobs alongside homes built “in the North, for the North”. Federal Minister Gary Anandasangaree emphasizes that bringing trades and manufacturing to Nunavummiut—led by Inuit—is a progressive step toward sovereignty and northern resilience.
This factory also anchors a broader vision. Sakku’s collaboration with Arctic Gateway Group to revive the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway promises a sweeping supply-chain renaissance—one that could lower costs and drive economic opportunity across the circumpolar corridor. It’s more than infrastructure—it’s building capacity, connections, and confidence.
As Arviat’s factory prepares to fire up its assembly lines next spring, Nunavut stands on the cusp of a housing revolution. With modular homes built on Inuit hands and Inuit soil, this is modern relevation and northern revival in one.
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With over 8,000 published articles on modular and offsite construction, Gary Fleisher remains one of the most trusted voices in the industry.
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